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Sulzer AG

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FY2022 Annual Report · Sulzer AG
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Net zero: our 
solutions

Annual Report 2022

Contents

3 Letter to the shareholders

7 Sulzer at a glance

7 Our company
8 Our key figures

10 Focus

22 Business review

37 Corporate governance

68 Compensation report

99 Consolidated financial 

statements

207 Financial statements of 

Sulzer Ltd

23 Financial review
29 Business review divisions

38 Corporate structure and shareholders
40 Capital structure
41 Board of Directors
56 Executive Committee
60 Shareholder participation rights
61 Takeover and defence measures
62 Auditors
63 Risk management
66 Information policy

69 Letter to the shareholders
71 Compensation governance and principles
74 Compensation architecture for the CEO and EC 

members

85 Compensation of the Executive Committee for 2022
91 Compensation architecture for the Board of Directors
93 Compensation of the Board of Directors in 2022
96 Auditor’s report

100 Consolidated income statement
101 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
102 Consolidated balance sheet
103 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
105 Consolidated statement of cash flows
108 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
192 Auditor’s report
200 Supplementary information

208 Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd
209 Income statement of Sulzer Ltd
210 Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd
211 Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd
217 Proposal of the Board of Directors for the appropriation 

of the available profit

218 Auditor’s report

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Letter to the shareholders

3

Sulzer Executive Committee

From left: Tim Schulten, Division President, Services; Haining Auperin, Chief Human 

Resources Officer; Thomas Zickler, Chief Financial Officer; Uwe Boltersdorf, Division 

President, Chemtech; Suzanne Thoma, Executive Chair; Jan Lüder, Division 

President, Flow Equipment

After an eventful yet successful year for Sulzer, it is my pleasure to present you with our 2022 annual 

results and our outlook for the coming year.

Energy security and affordability as well as the reliable supply of other critical goods have re-emerged 

as fundamental building blocks for the stability, prosperity and economic development of our society. 

This is true for business, industry, consumers and society at large. At the same time, the 

determination to take the necessary measures to reduce climate change is persisting and growing – 

as is the willingness to take concrete steps to mitigate the effects of climate change. The degradation 

of biodiversity, the pollution of our planet and the increasing scarcity of water resources must be 

tackled.

Sulzer contributes to the solutions for these fundamental challenges by reconciling the needs of our 

planet with those of a growing population and economically developing societies. With this in our 

minds and hearts, we are laying the foundation for future success. The evolving needs of business, 

industries, the public and consumers present significant upside potential for Sulzer’s development.

The markets that Sulzer serves are large, global, well-established and still growing. The competitive 

situation and the sustainability challenges call for Sulzer’s technologies: efficiency of operations, 

lifetime extension, reduction of water usage, and oil recycling or solvent recovery processes are 

examples from the chemical and the oil and gas industries.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Letter to the shareholders

4

Our customers are increasingly choosing new or nascent powerful approaches to significantly reduce 

their customers’ and their own ecological footprint. Sulzer’s technologies enable carbon emission 

reductions, polymers from biological sources, recycling of plastic waste and textiles as well as 

efficient energy generation.

To ensure that we seize these opportunities and better respond to the constantly evolving demand, 

we must take steps to recalibrate our strategy. At the same time, we are also focusing on operational 

excellence to enhance our productivity and effectiveness. This work has started and is being 

conducted from a position of strength and momentum, giving us added freedom to maneuver.

Significant rise in orders

In 2022, the company performed well considering the challenges global economies face. Orders rose 

9.1% year on year, buoyed in particular by the Flow Equipment division (+8.9%) and the Chemtech 

division (+22.5%), where our Renewables business continued its strong growth path and capitalized 

on soaring demand (+ 37.8%) compared with 2021.

Sales saw a modest rise of 1.8% versus the previous year, a good achievement given the significant 

geopolitical and supply chain difficulties and Sulzer’s exit from the Russian market, which particularly 

affected our Services business. Operational profitability continued to rise, increasing by 70 basis 

points to 10.0%. Free cash flow amounted to CHF 58.3 million, down from CHF 210.5 million on a 

comparable basis. The main driver for the reduction in free cash flow for the period reflects the higher 

working capital, in the context of the fluctuating market conditions and to mitigate the difficult global 

supply chain environment.

I would once again like to thank Sulzer’s teams around the world who successfully overcame global 

market adversities to achieve these excellent results.

“

Sulzer’s technologies are making a significant contribution to 
solving some of the most pressing challenges our society faces – 
while driving profitable growth.”

Suzanne Thoma
Executive Chair

A new leadership structure to guide Sulzer’s realignment

As a first step in recalibrating our strategy, we announced in October 2022 that we are combining the 

roles of CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors into the newly created role of Executive Chair. The 

Board unanimously agreed that the urgency and pace of change required to cater for the shifts in 

demand are such that Sulzer will greatly benefit from the heightened collaboration and increased 

transparency between the Board of Directors and Executive Management offered by the dual 

mandate.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Letter to the shareholders

5

To balance the role of the Executive Chair from a governance point of view, Sulzer is appointing an 

independent lead director, increasing its board members to seven highly experienced business 

leaders, establishing a new governance committee and adapting the memberships in the Board 

committees to ensure effective oversight.

Renewable and reliable energy

One of our principal focus areas as we seek to realign our strategy is energy. In an environment of 

escalating shortages, the world needs more clean and renewable energy. At the same time it needs to 

guarantee reliable supply of cleaner fossil fuels during the transition phase for the billions of people 

that depend on it. In this report you can read about how Sulzer is providing for both sides of this coin 

– accelerating the transition to renewable energy while continuing to innovate with traditional fuels to 

make them cleaner and more efficient.

For example, Sulzer is developing solutions to one of the major challenges that confronts renewable 

energy forms such as wind and solar – ensuring that the variable renewable energy supply caused by 

unpredictable weather conditions can be evened out and controlled to match energy demand. 

Sulzer’s innovations allow 

energy to be stored as it is produced and then released when needed

, 

helping to provide a solution to this key barrier to the large-scale adoption of renewable energy.

On the other hand, we helped a state-owned Middle Eastern company to implement a novel circular 

solution to maximize oil extraction from depleted oil wells using high-pressure captured carbon. While 

reducing the need for further oil exploration by allowing us to extract far more oil from each well, the 

process also provides the perfect means of storage for the carbon – buried safely underground. Such 

innovations that enable circularity and reduce emissions from fossil fuels will be crucial as we 

continue to meet global energy needs during the course of the energy transition.

As you will see throughout this report and beyond, we are enabling companies and industries 

worldwide to reduce emissions and waste through the circular economy, carbon capture and storage, 

renewable fuels and materials, recycling and novel techniques for energy production. Each of these 

solutions form a critical piece of the puzzle on the path to a new era – and we are proud to be in a 

position to accelerate this transition while creating value for our stakeholders.

Outlook for 2023

Sulzer has started the year with a strong order backlog and expects continued growth in its markets 

despite ongoing uncertainties. We believe that fundamental megatrends will continue to drive strong 

demand for Sulzer’s technologies.

For 2023, Sulzer expects orders to increase 3 to 6%. Sales are expected to grow by 7 to 9%. 

Operational profitability is expected to further improve to above 10.0%.

One-off effects have impacted net income negatively in 2022. As no comparable impacts are 

expected for 2023, Sulzer expects net income in 2023 to be significantly higher compared to 2022.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Letter to the shareholders

6

We are extremely excited about the future. Sulzer’s technologies are making a significant contribution 

to solving some of the most pressing challenges our society faces – while driving profitable growth for 

the company and creating value for our shareholders, partners, employees and communities. This 

confidence in our future performance is also reflected in the proposed ordinary dividend of CHF 3.50 

per share at the Annual General Meeting.

We thank you, our shareholders, clients and employees, for accompanying us on this journey and look 

forward to continuing to deliver for you in the coming years.

Yours sincerely,

Suzanne Thoma

Executive Chair

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Sulzer at a glance – Our company

7

Fluid engineering for a sustainable world

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering and chemical processing 
applications, with two centuries of experience in developing innovative products 
and services that drive progress and help our customers build a more 
sustainable world. 

We specialize in energy-efficient pumping, agitation, mixing, separation, 
purification, crystallization and polymerization technologies for fluids of all types. 
Our solutions enable carbon emission reductions, development of polymers from 
biological sources, recycling of plastic waste and textiles, and efficient power 
storage. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, 
performance and quality through our responsive network of 180 world-class 
manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. 

Flow Equipment

Wherever fluids are treated, pumped or mixed, we deliver highly innovative and reliable 

solutions for the most demanding applications.

Services

We are your partner for uptime and enhanced performance for your rotating equipment 

and more. Our dedicated people provide unrivaled service and expertise to meet your 

operational needs – anytime, anywhere.

Chemtech

When superior chemical processing and separation technologies matter most, we 

enable our customers to operate world-class plants and produce high-value products.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Sulzer at a glance – Our key figures

8

Our key figures

Order intake by division

Order intake by region

2022

2022

42%

 Flow Equipment

34%

 Services

24%

 Chemtech

Key figures

millions of CHF

39%

 Europe, the Middle East and Africa

35%

 Americas

26%

 Asia-Pacific

2022  

2021  

Change in 

+/–%  

+/–% 
adjusted 1)  

+/–% 
organic 2)

Order intake from continuing operations

3’425.4  

3’167.6  

8.1  

9.2  

9.1

Order intake gross margin from continuing operations

Order backlog from continuing operations as of December 31

Sales from continuing operations

EBIT from continuing operations 3)

33.5%  

33.1%  

1’844.7  

1’724.1  

3’179.9  

3’155.3  

7.0  

0.8  

111.4  

221.8  

–49.8  

1.6  

1.8

Operational profit from continuing operations

317.6  

293.3  

8.3  

8.7  

8.6

Operational profitability from continuing operations

Operational ROCEA from continuing operations

Core net income from continuing operations

Net income from continuing operations

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in CHF)

Free cash flow (FCF) from continuing operations

Net debt as of December 31

10.0%  

9.3%  

23.7%  

22.7%  

213.1  

195.3  

9.1  

28.0  

0.85  

58.3  

140.7  

–80.1  

4.10  

–79.4  

210.5  

–72.3  

234.6  

66.8  

251.2  

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) from continuing operations as of 
December 31

12’868  

13’816  

–6.9  

1) Adjusted for currency effects.
2) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects.
3)

Impacted by write-offs related to Russia and Poland.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Sulzer at a glance – Our key figures

9

Stock market information

Registered share price (in CHF)

– high

– low

– year-end

Market capitalization as of December 31

– number of shares outstanding

– in millions of CHF

– in percentage of equity

P/E ratio as of December 31

Dividend yield as of December 31

Data per share

CHF

Net income attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd

Change from prior year

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

2018

93.50  

143.10  

110.50  

113.40  

137.50

56.10  

82.45  

40.12  

75.15  

72.00  

89.85  

93.10  

108.00  

76.30

78.05

  33’738’515   33’727’637   33’835’903   34’021’446   33’950’499

2’429  

3’030  

3’150  

3’674  

2’650

237%  

238%  

224%  

232%  

163%

85.2x  

2.1x  

37.8x  

23.9x  

4.9%  

3.9%  

4.3%  

3.7%  

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

0.85  

41.93  

2.46  

–98%  

1’603%  

–46%  

4.52  

27%  

21.9x

4.5%

2018

3.56

46%

Equity attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd

30.40  

37.80  

41.50  

46.50  

48.00

Ordinary dividend

Payout ratio

3.50 1)  

414%  

3.50  

4.00  

8%  

163%  

4.00  

88%  

3.50

98%

Average number of shares outstanding

  33’825’814   33’788’006   33’970’141   34’026’442   31’934’459

1) Proposal to the Annual General Meeting.

Shareholder structure as of December 31, 2022

Number of shares

1–100

101–1’000

1’001–10’000

10’001–100’000

More than 100’000

Total registered shareholders and shares (excluding treasury shares Sulzer Ltd)

Number of shareholders  

Shareholding

4’202  

5’265  

633  

103  

13  

10’216  

0.7%

5.0%

4.8%

8.4%

57.6%

76.6%

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Enabling the transition to net zero

10

Enabling the transition to net zero

Sulzer’s innovative solutions are enabling and accelerating the transition to net zero, 

by supporting our customers in securing a reliable supply of energy and resources for 

communities worldwide during the transition phase.

Two interlinked challenges have recently come into ever‑sharper focus: on the one hand, the world 

needs to transition to green and renewable energy to reach net zero. At the same time, we must 

ensure a sustainable transition that secures the reliable supply of life-critical energy and resources to 

the billions of people and businesses that depend on them.

This represents one of the key global challenges on the pathway to net zero – the ramp-down of high 

emissions activities must be carefully managed in parallel with the ramp-up of low-emissions 

activities, if we are to avoid high economic costs and damage to global economies.

This balance will therefore define global activities to reach net zero in the coming years. Of all the 

sections of our society and industries that will need to decarbonize as we forge the path to net zero, 

several areas represent a particular challenge – cement and concrete, heavy transportation, 

aluminum, steel and chemicals. These sectors provide growing populations all over the world with 

resources that enable everyday life. It is estimated that these sectors currently account for 30% of 
global emissions .1

Decarbonizing heavy industry

Sulzer is directly or indirectly involved in all of these industries, helping them to achieve cost efficiency 

and environmentally friendly operations. In the heavy transportation sector for example, Sulzer signed 

a memorandum of understanding in 2022 with BASF to collaborate on the enhancement of renewable 

biofuels. Sustainable aviation fuels made from organic material like waste cooking oils and fats can 

cut emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional jet fuel  and will therefore support the 

2

sustainable transformation of the aviation sector as production is scaled and commercialized.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Enabling the transition to net zero

11

Sulzer is also currently enabling production at 

two of the world’s largest biofuels production facilities

. 

Combined, the two plants will produce over five billion liters of renewable fuels annually from waste 

oils, fats and greases, allowing large segments of the transportation sector to move to these 

revolutionary low-carbon fuels and eliminating millions of tons of CO  emissions per year.

2

There are many more examples from across Sulzer’s portfolio of such innovations and contributions 

that will help our society reach global emissions targets. In renewable energy, Sulzer has been 

developing ground-breaking solutions to the problem of uneven supply due to unpredictable weather 

conditions. Sulzer’s technologies are being used to 

convert electricity from wind and solar 

installations into various forms that can be stored and then used when required

, helping to solve this 

fundamental barrier to the large-scale adoption of renewable energy. In the light transportation sector, 

the adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly rising as a critical part of net-zero strategies, requiring ever-

increasing amounts of lithium. The multi-stage production process for the high-quality lithium used in 

batteries is long and requires highly specialized pumps throughout all stages of the extraction and 

purification. 

Sulzer’s pumping expertise is key in this area

 and used all over the world to optimize the 

lithium and battery manufacturing processes.

Furthermore, for those emissions that cannot be eliminated, Sulzer offers opportunities to remove 

carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely underground or permanently sequestered in materials 

and products. With Sulzer’s pumping expertise and advanced separation technology, the company 

is 

providing innovative technical solutions for all stages of the CCUS process

. We continue to innovate 

to enable these technologies to achieve their full impact as a commercially viable and critical 

component of the net-zero strategy.

These solutions will be scaled in the coming years as the global transition accelerates. The Climate 

Policy Initiative estimates that climate-related financing has almost doubled since 2010, reaching 

USD 632 billion in 2020 , with much of this investment going towards developing and scaling clean 

3

and renewable technologies. As these technologies are ramped up across the globe and attract more 

and more investment, Sulzer is perfectly positioned to help deliver the megashifts in infrastructure that 

will enable net zero.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Enabling the transition to net zero

12

Enabling circularity and minimizing emissions from traditional 
energy sources

While we ramp up and commercialize clean and renewable technologies, traditional fuels and energy 

production will remain crucial. To minimize their carbon emissions to the greatest extent possible, 

while safely capturing the emissions that we can’t eradicate, Sulzer and its partners develop powerful 

CCUS solutions.

And in addition, we continue to develop innovative means of enhancing the efficiency and 

sustainability of carbon-intensive fuels. For example, Sulzer’s pumping expertise is being used to 

optimize oil extraction and enable circularity in the oil industry. The solution uses captured, high-

pressure CO  which is pumped into depleted oil reservoirs to extract the remaining oil with far higher 

2

efficiency than the traditional water, reducing both water consumption and the need for further oil 

exploration. The carbon is then safely and permanently stored underground, enabling circularity and 

reducing emissions.

1) World Economic Forum: First Movers Coalition
2) First Movers Coalition aviation commitments
3) Climate policy initiative: Climate finance landscape

You can read more about Sulzer’s sustainability efforts in our 2022 sustainability report

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Decarbonizing the transportation sector

13

Decarbonizing the transportation sector

Sulzer is helping to decarbonize the transportation sector by working with its partners 

and customers to develop and produce renewable, low-carbon fuels. By mimicking 

the highly useful properties of oil-based fuels but with a far lower carbon cost, these 

biofuels will be a central pillar of global strategies to decarbonize the fast-growing 

transportation sector.

Transportation has long been identified as one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. 

Statista estimates that the transportation sector accounts for 17% of total global greenhouse gas 
emissions, behind only the power sector, with this number expected to rise in the coming years .1

How to decarbonize this growing sector represents a key challenge, heavily reliant on new and 

emerging technologies and huge shifts in infrastructure across the world. However, the transportation 

sector is far from homogenous, with different areas of the sector requiring different solutions.

The easiest piece of the puzzle is light transportation – for cars, light trucks and two-wheeled vehicles, 

the transition is already well underway. This is because these vehicles are smaller, they carry lighter 

loads, and they generally have frequent opportunities to refuel. This means that energy density (the 

amount of energy contained in a certain weight and volume) becomes less important, paving the way 

for alternative on-board energy storage like batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. The International Energy 

Agency estimates that there will be 125 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030 and that oil 

demand from light vehicles will peak in the early 2020s , despite growing numbers of total vehicles on 

2

the roads. Here you can read more about 

Sulzer’s contribution to lithium extraction and battery 

manufacturing

, helping to enable the widespread adoption of EVs across the globe. 

By far the bigger problem is how to decarbonize heavy transportation – ships, planes and heavy 

goods vehicles. There is a good reason why oil-based fuels have come to dominate our transportation 

sector – it is because their high energy density makes them the ideal fuel to carry heavy loads over 

long distances. The energy density of batteries is orders of magnitude lower than petroleum fuels, 

effectively ruling them out as a viable option to power larger vehicles over long distances. Put simply, 

batteries are too heavy and store too little energy relative to their weight for them to be used to 

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Decarbonizing the transportation sector

14

transport passenger or cargo planes or ships over thousands of kilometers. Moreover, petroleum 

fuels’ liquid form means that they are far easier to transport to the point of use than energy stored in 

electricity, which requires significant infrastructure to transport.

For heavy transportation, there is therefore only one viable alternative – low-carbon fuels that mimic 

the highly useful characteristics of petroleum fuels in terms of energy density and ease of 

transportation. Biofuels and synthetic fuels show the most promise, as these fuels can be engineered 

to deliver the properties of petroleum fuels necessary to power heavy transportation, while producing 

a fraction of the carbon emissions. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), for example, can reduce carbon 

emissions by up to 85% versus their petroleum-based alternatives.

Enabling production at two of the world’s largest biofuel 
facilities

In 2022, 

Sulzer was selected by Shell to supply pumps

 for its major new biofuel facility under 

construction in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Expected to become one of the largest biofuels 

production sites in Europe, the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park will create sustainable aviation fuel 

(SAF) and biodiesel from waste. Once completed, the facility is expected to deliver 820’000 tonnes of 

low‑carbon fuels (LCF) a year, enough to eliminate 2’800’000 tonnes of CO  emissions annually – the 

2

equivalent of taking one European million cars of the road . Sulzer’s industry-leading pumps will 

3

enable several critical processes at the facility, including providing boiler feedwater to drive the steam 

turbine generator.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Decarbonizing the transportation sector

15

Similarly, Sulzer is supporting the conversion of an existing US West Coast refinery into another of the 

world’s largest renewable biofuel plants, currently under construction in California. 

Sulzer’s pumping 

expertise will support central processes to enable the transition

, including converting the existing 

hydrotreater to produce renewable diesel from used oils, fats and greases. Sulzer will also provide a 

highly specialized set of critical oil recycle pumps to feed the hydrotreater itself. Inside, the organic 

waste material is reacted with hydrogen to produce the same components found in traditional diesel 

but at a far lower carbon cost. Once operational, the facility will produce approximately 50’000 barrels 

of low-carbon fuels per day, reducing carbon life-cycle emissions by 65% – equivalent to taking 1.4 

4
million cars off the roads .

A partnership to further enhance renewable fuels

Beyond Sulzer’s contribution to the production of these biofuels, the company is also helping to lead 

the development of new technologies that enable sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. In 2022, 

Sulzer and BASF signed a memorandum of understanding

 to develop collaboration on enhancing 

renewable fuels and plastic recycling technologies. The strategic partnership will combine Sulzer 

Chemtech’s expertise in licensed processing technologies and mass transfer equipment with BASF’s 

cutting-edge high-performance adsorbents and catalysts to further reduce the carbon intensity of 

renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

1) Statista: Transportation emissions worldwide
2) International Energy Agency: Global EV Outlook 2022
3) Shell media release: Shell to build one of Europe’s biggest biofuel facilities
4) Phillips 66 media release: Phillips 66 makes final decision to convert San Francisco refinery

More information about our products and services at www.sulzer.com.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – If you can’t eliminate your CO2 emissions, capture them!

16

If you can’t eliminate your CO
emissions, capture them!
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) has a critically important role to play 

2

on the path to net zero. For those emissions that are impossible to completely 

eradicate through carbon reduction strategies, for example from industrial activities 

like hydrocarbon processing, Sulzer's CCUS solutions can help capture and 

transform the remaining emissions into valuable resources to be sold and used in a 

variety of sectors, thereby enabling circularity and the decarbonization of heavy 

industries. 

Governments worldwide are setting ambitious targets aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) 

emissions to align with global net‑zero commitments. To achieve this, organizations are looking at 

ways to improve their environmental footprint while remaining competitive in a challenging 

marketplace.

While the priority of net‑zero strategies is to reduce carbon emissions to the greatest extent possible, 

we know that there are some sectors where the complete abatement of carbon emissions is nearly, if 

not entirely, impossible. Hydrocarbon processing, chemical manufacturing and power generation with 

fossil fuels – all of these industries will need to rely on capturing and safely storing those emissions 

that they cannot abate. Therefore, in the International Energy Agency’s Sustainable Development 

Scenario, in which global CO  emissions from the energy sector fall to zero on a net basis by 2070, 

2

1
CCUS accounts for nearly 15% of the cumulative reduction in emissions .

As a result, the growth of the carbon capture market in the period to 2070 is expected to follow an 

upward trend that is inversely proportional to the emission reduction requirements in the same period, 

creating significant opportunities for companies like Sulzer with the know-how to enable cost-efficient 

carbon capture, utilization and storage.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – If you can’t eliminate your CO2 emissions, capture them!

17

Emissions as resources

The most compelling and cost-effective way to deal with carbon emissions once captured is to utilize 

at least a part of them as a resource, in line with circularity principles. For example, captured CO  can 

2

be used to produce sustainable aviation fuels – an energy application that is particularly hard to 

decarbonize. Carbon is also the key building block of chemicals and polymers and widely used in the 

healthcare sector and the food industry, e.g. for carbonated drinks. Moreover, it can support the 

production of carbon‑negative concrete by crystallizing the carbon and permanently storing it within 

concrete.

This creates additional incentives and opportunities for emissions-heavy businesses to capture their 

carbon – not only does society benefit, but there are also real financial gains to be realized by reusing 

the captured CO  as a valuable resource. Hydrocarbon processing facilities can potentially become 

2

independent, closed-loop facilities, where the carbon generated by the main plant’s activities is then 

reintroduced into the system as feedstock to produce chemicals, materials or fuels. As a result, 

companies in this sector can address changing market needs and environmental regulations while 

generating new revenue streams and increasing their competitive advantages.

The critical component in carbon capture units is the separation technology that is used to separate 

the CO  from the other flue gases produced during industrial processing. To deliver optimum 

2

performance in these separation columns, Sulzer has developed its proprietary MellapakCC™ 

structured packing, which was designed specifically for carbon capture applications. More precisely, 

this cost-effective technology increases efficiency by 20% when compared to conventional structured 

packing, while enabling the capture of the vast majority of carbon emissions.

For example, Sulzer’s technology is being used at a coal-fired power plant in Saskatchewan, Canada. 

The plant employs a highly advanced carbon capture system with internals and packing from Sulzer, 

which enables the direct capture of up to 90% of the CO  emissions produced by the plant. By 

2

January 2022, 4’256’840 tons of CO  had been captured and permanently sequestered since the 

2

2
carbon capture unit began operating in 2014 .

Using and permanently storing captured carbon

As well as developing the technology to capture carbon emissions, Sulzer is driving innovation on 

ever more inventive methods of putting the carbon to good use while simultaneously providing safe 

storage solutions that prevent its release into the atmosphere. For example, 

Sulzer is working with 

Blue Planet

 on a ground-breaking mineralization process that permanently stores carbon emissions 

captured from heavy industries in aggregate form, which can then be used to produce carbon-

negative concrete. 

The technology combines captured CO  with industrial waste to obtain synthetic limestone aggregate 

2

– one of the three key ingredients of concrete, along with cement and water. The mineralization 

process permanently locks up to 440 kg of CO  into every tonne of aggregate produced. As a result, 

2

it is possible to completely offset the CO  footprint of cement and produce carbon‑negative concrete. 

2

With concrete currently accounting for 7% of global emissions, this process represents a big step in 

the decarbonization of the construction industry.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – If you can’t eliminate your CO2 emissions, capture them!

18

Another of Sulzer’s innovative methods of storing captured carbon is to convert the CO  into high-

2

pressure, supercritical form, which can be used to 

optimize oil recovery from depleted oil wells

. Using 

highly specialized pumps from Sulzer, the CO  is pumped into the well to extract oil with far greater 

2

efficiency than traditional methods using water. The pumped CO  is then stored in the underground 

2

oil field, providing a perfect storage medium for the greenhouse gas. This groundbreaking circular 

process has the power to transform the oil and gas industry by reducing CO  emissions while 

2

simultaneously maximizing recovery from existing oil fields – reducing the need for further oil 

exploration.

1) International Energy Agency: CCUS in clean energy transitions
2) Sask Power status update January 2022

More information about our products and services at www.sulzer.com.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Delivering reliable energy supply from intermittent renewable sources

19

Delivering reliable energy supply from 
intermittent renewable sources
Sulzer is developing solutions to one of the major challenges that confronts 

renewable energy forms such as wind and solar – ensuring that the variable 

renewable energy supply caused by unpredictable weather conditions can be evened 

out and controlled to match energy demands. Sulzer’s innovations allow energy to be 

stored as it is produced and then released when needed, helping to provide a solution 

to this key barrier to the large-scale adoption of renewable energy.

Renewable energy installations are a critical part of the transition to clean technologies and global 

strategies to reach net zero. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the share of 

renewables in global electricity generation jumped to 29% in 2020 . Wind in particular saw a 

1

significant increase, rising by 275 TWh (+17%) year on year, followed by solar which rose by 145 TWh 

(+12%). The IEA expects this trend to continue and accelerate in the coming years, with renewables 

set to account for almost 95% of the increase in global power capacity through to 2026.

However, there are two major issues confronting the large-scale adoption of renewable energy 

installations like wind and solar. The first is the key challenge of the variable nature of their supply, 

which is caused by changing weather conditions. We cannot control when the wind will blow and the 

sun will shine, which results in an uneven flow of electricity that does not respond to the needs of the 

grid. The second challenge is transport – electricity requires significant, costly and material-rich 

infrastructure to transport it over long distances. This traditionally creates a barrier to building large-

scale solar or wind farms in deserts or offshore, where sun and wind are in abundance, and then 

transporting the electricity over long distances to the point of need.

Storing renewable energy

However, Sulzer has been developing solutions to these two issues in collaboration with its 

customers. For example, Sulzer is supporting a ground-breaking offshore energy storage project from 

FLASC power, a renewable energy company based in the Netherlands. FLASC’s vision is to store 

renewable energy where it is produced and deliver it later to consumers to meet peak demand times, 

thereby turning an intermittent renewable resource into a predictable source of clean energy.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Delivering reliable energy supply from intermittent renewable sources

20

Sulzer is delivering a customized solution that stores the renewable energy in the form of high-

pressure air and water, to be released on demand. In essence, water is pumped into multiple vessels 

that contain air, causing the air pressure to increase. This pumping process is repeated until the 

vessels are filled with a mixture of air at extremely high pressure and water. When the energy is 

required by the grid, the water is released at high speeds through a hydraulic turbine, generating 

electricity for delivery to the grid.

The main components of this system are the pumps and hydraulic turbines that are used to pressurize 

the air, capturing, storing, and then releasing the generated energy. Sulzer locations around the world 

have been working to develop a highly specialized package of products that can be connected 

together to deliver a scalable platform that is both energy‑efficient and cost‑effective, enabling FLASC 

to deliver on its vision of a reliable supply of clean energy.

Decarbonizing shipping with green methanol

Additionally, as an alternative method of storage for renewable energy, 

Sulzer is supporting European 

Energy with the construction of the world’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol plant

. European 

Energy is applying an innovative process to convert renewable electricity from solar panels or wind 

turbines, among others, into another form of energy that is easier to store, namely e-methanol. The 

plant in Kassø, Aabenraa, located in the southern part of Denmark, will be supplied with power from 

the adjacent 300 MW solar park owned by European Energy. It represents the first step in bringing 

this e-fuel to market at scale to support the maritime and road transportation industries as well as the 

chemical sector.

Traditionally, methanol was produced by gasifying natural gas and coal. Alternative renewable energy-

to-methanol conversion processes have been extensively researched in recent years due to the 

traditional methanol production process’s high carbon footprint.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Focus – Delivering reliable energy supply from intermittent renewable sources

21

Using its global leadership and expertise in separation and mixing technology, Sulzer will deliver two 

custom‑design distillation units to European Energy’s cutting-edge facility. These will play an essential 

role in the plant’s ability to produce e-methanol of extremely high purity for use in combustion engines 

and as a chemical feedstock, for example to produce plastic while requiring minimal energy input.

This innovative facility will help to progress the decarbonization of the global freight industry by 

producing 32’000 metric tonnes of carbon‑neutral hydrocarbon-based fuels per year. Half of the total 

plant output, 16’000 metric tonnes per annum, will be delivered to A. P. Moller-Maersk to fuel the 

company’s first container ship capable of operating on green methanol. The 172 m (564 ft)‑long feeder 

vessel will be able to hold over two thousand 6m (20 ft equivalent) container units and will sail in 

Northern Europe.

With its high energy density along with its transportability thanks to its low weight, e-methanol 

provides a simultaneous solution to the two challenges faced by renewable energy – how to store the 

produced energy for later use, and how to transport the energy from the renewable installations to the 

point of need.

1) International Energy Agency: Global energy review 2021

More information about our products and services at www.sulzer.com.

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Business 
review

23 Financial review

29 Business review divisions
29 Flow Equipment
32 Services
34 Chemtech

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

23

Order growth and increased operational 
profitability

Note: If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on organic figures (adjusted for currencies and acquisitions).

Order intake increased by 9.1%. In a difficult environment, sales saw a slight 
increase of 1.8%. While the Russia exit and Poland closure impacted Sulzer’s 
bottom line, our operational profitability was unaffected, reaching 10.0%. Free 
cash flow, impacted by global supply chain challenges, amounted to 
CHF 58.3 million.

Continued strong growth in order intake

Compared with 2021, order intake was driven by organic growth of 9.1% to CHF 3’425.4 million. The 

net impact from acquisitions at Group level amounted to only CHF 1.9 million.

Currency translation effects had a negative impact on order intake of CHF 33.6 million. Order intake 

gross margin  increased nominally by 0.4 percentage points to 33.5%.

1

“

This solid set of results is evidence of Sulzer’s resilience in a 
market environment characterized by geopolitical tensions and 
uncertainties. The demand for our technologies also 
demonstrates that we are well positioned in markets fundamental 
to our society such as energy security and the transition to 
renewables, which we will continue to build on in the coming 
years.”

Thomas Zickler
Chief Financial Officer

In the Flow Equipment division, order intake grew in all segments, leading to an overall increase of 

8.9%. Double-digit growth in orders was recorded in Energy (11.0%) and Industry (12.8%). The Water 

segment continues to grow and increased its orders by 4.4%. Order intake in the Services division 

grew by 1.6% despite the impact from the exit from Russia, which caused a drop in Europe, the 

Middle East and Africa (EMEA) of 6.5%. This was more than offset by a strong performance in the 

Americas (11.1%) and solid order intake in Asia-Pacific (2.4%).

Order intake in the Chemtech division increased by 22.5%, with strong commercial momentum in all 

regions reflecting rebounds in the Americas, Europe, India and the Middle East. The Renewables 

segment within the Chemtech division grew strongly by 37.8%.

As of December 31, 2022, the order backlog amounted to CHF 1’844.7 million (December 31, 2021: 

CHF 1’724.1 million).

1) Order intake gross margin is defined as the expected gross profit of order intake divided by order intake.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

24

Order intake

millions of CHF

Order intake from continuing operations

Order intake gross margin from continuing operations

Order backlog from continuing operations as of December 31

2022  

3’425.4  

33.5%  

1’844.7  

2021

3’167.6

33.1%

1’724.1

Sales growth in difficult environment

Sales increased by 1.8% compared to 2021, reaching CHF 3’179.9 million. Net impact from 

divestitures was CHF 5.9 million and negative currency translation effects amounted to 

CHF 26.0 million. This solid result was achieved despite continuing supply chain restrictions and 

multiple Covid-related factory lockdowns in China.

Sales in the Flow Equipment division declined by 3.4%, mainly due to a low order backlog in Energy 

at the beginning of the year. Sales in Industry (+0.5%) and Water (+0.7%) were stable. Services 

achieved overall year-on-year sales growth of 0.7%. A strong performance in the Americas (8.5% 

growth) more than offset the Russia-related decline in EMEA (6.0%). Sales in Asia‑Pacific were stable 

(0.5%). In Chemtech, sales were up by 14.8% thanks to high order intake, strong execution and 

rigorous efforts to overcome Covid-related lockdowns in China.

Russia exit and Poland closure

As announced in H1 2022, the exit from the Russian market and the closure of our Polish entities were 

initially recorded in Sulzer’s midyear results with the recognition of impairments and other write‑downs 

of assets in all affected businesses, and the classification as assets held for sale for the Russian 

entities. In February 2023, Sulzer signed an agreement to sell its business in Russia to a local third 

party. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals by the Russian government subcommission 

for control over foreign investments and the Federal antimonopoly service (FAS). As of December 31, 

2022, the total impact on net income from the closures amounted to CHF 133.7 million.

While a number of income statement KPIs and balance sheet positions are impacted, the write-offs 

are excluded from operational profit, which therefore provides a fair view of Sulzer’s operational 

performance. The impact of write-offs was partially mitigated by CHF 21.0 million of net financial 

income (shown below EBIT) mostly arising from foreign exchange movements on unhedged 

intercompany loans to Russia. Additionally, backlog adjustments of CHF 28.0 million associated with 

the exit from Russia were booked in the period up to December 31, 2022.

Gross profit margin 

Reported gross profit margin amounted to 29.5% (2021: 30.0%), mainly affected by inventory write-

offs in Russia. When excluding these extraordinary impacts, gross profit margins increased in all 

divisions. Overall gross profit declined by CHF 7.3 million to CHF 939.6 million (2021: 

CHF 946.9 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

25

Increase in operational profitability

Operational profit – which excludes the impacts of exiting Russia and Poland – amounted to 

CHF 317.6 million compared to CHF 293.3 million by the end of 2021, an increase of 8.6%. Higher 

volumes, generally higher margins and continued spending discipline led to a year-on-year increase in 

operational profitability of 70 basis points to 10.0% (2021: 9.3%).

Whereas operational profitability remained stable in the Services division, both Flow Equipment and 

Chemtech improved year on year:

Flow Equipment increased to 6.6% compared to 5.9% in 2021

Services remained flat at 14.2%

Chemtech improved operational profitability to 10.8% compared to 10.0% in 2021

Bridge from operational profit to EBIT

millions of CHF

Operational profit from continuing operations

Amortization

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets

– thereof Russia / Poland exit

Restructuring expenses

Non-operational items 1)

– thereof Russia / Poland exit

EBIT from continuing operations

2022  

317.6  

–38.8  

–44.5  

–32.4  

–0.1  

–122.8  

–114.9  

111.4  

2021

293.3

–50.2

–4.2

–

–9.5

–7.7

–

221.8

1) Non-operational items include significant acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from the sale of businesses or real estate (including release of provisions), and certain non-

operational items that are non-recurring or do not regularly occur in similar magnitude.

EBIT impacted by Russia and Poland exits

Expenses impacting EBIT and related to the exit from Russia and closures in Poland amounted to 

CHF 147.3 million, representing the vast majority of a total of CHF 167.4 million in one-off expenses 

recorded in 2022 (2021: CHF 21.4 million). Accordingly, EBIT amounted to CHF 111.4 million 

compared to CHF 221.8 million in 2021. Return on sales (ROS) was 3.5% compared to 7.0% by 

December 31, 2021.

Calculation of return on sales (ROS) and operational profitability

millions of CHF

EBIT from continuing operations

Sales from continuing operations

Return on sales (ROS) from continuing operations

Operational profit from continuing operations

Sales from continuing operations

Operational profitability from continuing operations

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2022  

111.4  

3’179.9  

3.5%  

317.6  

3’179.9  

10.0%  

2021

221.8

3’155.3

7.0%

293.3

3’155.3

9.3%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

26

Financial result

Total net financial expenses amounted to CHF 1.6 million, compared with net financial expenses of 

CHF 21.7 million in 2021. Net interest expenses increased from CHF 15.3 million by December 31, 

2021, to CHF 17.6 million for the same period in 2022. Fair value changes on financial assets and 

liabilities had a positive impact of CHF 24.0 million (CHF 1.3 million in 2021). Currency exchange 

losses amounted to CHF 6.6 million (CHF 6.0 million in 2021), including a positive foreign exchange 

effect of CHF 21.0 million arising from unhedged intercompany loans to Russian entities prior to their 

classification as held for sale. Other financial expenses amounted to CHF 1.5 million (CHF 1.6 million 

in 2021).

Effective tax rate influenced by write-offs

Income tax expenses amounted to CHF 79.0 million, compared with CHF 57.2 million in 2021. The 

increase was driven by higher operational profit levels, as well as the write-off of tax receivables and 

deferred tax assets in the Russian legal entities amounting to CHF 7.4 million. The effective tax rate 

(ETR) increased from 28.9% (2021) to 73.8% (2022) as a result of the higher income tax expenses 

described above compared to a lower profit before tax due to the costs related to the exit from the 

Russian and Polish business.

Net income and core net income

By Dec 31, 2022, net income amounted to CHF 28.0 million, compared with CHF 140.7 million in the 

previous year. Basic earnings per share therefore decreased from CHF 4.10 by Dec 31, 2021, to CHF 

0.85 in 2022. Core net income excluding the tax-adjusted effects of non-operational items totaled 

CHF 213.1 million, compared with CHF 195.3 million in 2021.

Bridge from net income from continuing operations to core net income from 
continuing operations

millions of CHF

Net income from continuing operations

Amortization

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets

Restructuring expenses

Non-operational items 1)

Tax impact 2)

Core net income from continuing operations

2022  

28.0  

38.8  

44.5  

0.1  

122.8  

–21.1  

213.1  

2021

140.7

50.2

4.2

9.5

7.7

–17.0

195.3

1) Other non-operational items include significant acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from the sale of businesses or real estate (including release of provisions), and certain 

non-operational items that are non-recurring or do not regularly occur in similar magnitude.

2) Tax impact calculated using Weighted Average Tax Rate applied to tax relevant items in above calculation.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

27

Bridge from net income from continuing operations to net income

millions of CHF

Net income from continuing operations

Net income from discontinued operations before gain on net assets derecognized

Gain on net assets derecognized 1)

Net income

1) Details are described in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

Key balance sheet positions

2022  

28.0  

–  

–  

28.0  

2021

140.7

23.2

1’255.1

1’418.9

Total assets as of December 31, 2022, amounted to CHF 4’620.2 million, a decrease of 

CHF 390.3 million from December 31, 2021. Non-current assets decreased by CHF 250.0 million to 

CHF 1’584.2 million, with lower defined benefit assets for the pension funds in Switzerland 

(CHF 134.2 million) being the main driver. This decrease was triggered in the first half of 2022 by the 

remeasurement of the net pension assets, with IAS 19 asset ceiling rules limiting the balance sheet 

recognition of the surplus funding in the Swiss plans. Additionally, lower goodwill (CHF 50.4 million, 

with CHF 41.8 million arising from FX impacts and CHF 8.6 million due to the write-off in Russia), 

lower other intangible assets (CHF 42.2 million, of which CHF 6.7 million were for impairments in 

Russia) and lower property, plant and equipment (CHF 33.5 million, of which CHF 16.2 million was 

Russia-related) were recorded.

Current assets decreased by CHF 140.2 million. Excluding the CHF 28.6 million reclassified as held 

for sale, cash and cash equivalents decreased by CHF 280.5 million due to lower operational cash 

generation, continued investment in core and new business and the repayment of a bond. Difficulties 

in the supply-chain led to a significant increase in inventories (CHF 46.8 million, net of CHF –31.4 

million related to the Russia exit) as did trade accounts receivable (CHF 36.3 million, net of CHF –8.6 

million Russia related). Contract assets also saw a CHF 56.8 million increase (net of CHF –26.8 million 

related to Russia), largely offset by higher contract liabilities.

Total liabilities decreased by CHF 139.6 million to CHF 3’591.5 million as of December 31, 2022. Both 

current and non-current borrowings were reduced (CHF 154.8 million in total). In non-current liabilities 

deferred income tax liabilities decreased (CHF 31.1 million), as did defined benefit obligations 

(CHF 57.8 million). Amongst current liabilities, the largest change was an increase in contract liabilities 

(CHF 57.8 million). CHF 25.4 million of liabilities were classified as held for sale. Equity decreased by 

CHF 250.7 million to CHF 1028.6 million. This was driven by low net income (CHF 28.0 million), the 

remeasurement of defined benefit obligations net of deferred tax impacts (CHF –75.5 million), dividend 

distribution (CHF 120.3 million) and negative currency translation differences (CHF 60.3 million).

Free cash flow impacted by global supply chain constraints

Cash flow from operating activities declined to CHF 119.2 million due to a significant increase in 

working capital, needed to mitigate the difficult global supply chain environment. Free cash flow 

amounted to CHF 58.3 million, compared with CHF 210.5 million reported in the same period of the 

previous year (excluding Applicator Systems Divisions at CHF 28.2 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Financial review

Bridge from cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow

millions of CHF

Cash flow from operating activities

– thereof discontinued operations

Purchase of intangible assets

Sale of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Free cash flow (FCF)

– thereof discontinued operations

– thereof continuing operations

28

2021

315.9

49.0

–6.9

0.2

–79.2

8.7

238.7

28.2

210.5

2022  

119.2  

–  

–8.7  

0.0  

–61.2  

9.0  

58.3  

–  

58.3  

Cash flow from investing activities totaled CHF–87.8 million, compared with CHF 432.3 million in 

2021, with the latter including an impact from the Applicator Systems division spin-off 

(CHF 344.3 million net), and also CHF 302.6 million from net changes in financial assets. Cash-out for 

acquisitions and divestitures amounted to CHF 21.9 million in 2022, compared to CHF 131.9 million in 

the previous year. For the purchase and sale of property, plant and equipment, Sulzer paid net 

CHF 52.2 million in 2022 (2021: CHF 70.5 million).

Cash flow from financing activities totaled CHF –285.4 million compared with CHF –382.5 million by 

the end of 2021. In 2022, Sulzer reduced its borrowings by a net CHF 152.5 million and dividend 

payments to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd. amounted to CHF 80.6 million, compared with 

CHF 91.9 million in 2021. The net change in cash since January 1, 2022, amounted to CHF –280.5 

million, including exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents of CHF 26.4 million. CHF 28.6 million 

of cash is being reclassified as held for sale.

Outlook for 2023

Sulzer has started the year with a strong order backlog and expects continued growth in its markets 

despite ongoing uncertainties. We believe that fundamental megatrends will continue to drive strong 

demand for Sulzer’s technologies.

For 2023, Sulzer expects orders to increase 3 to 6%. Sales are expected to grow by 7 to 9%. 

Operational profitability is expected to further improve to above 10.0%.

One-off effects have impacted net income negatively in 2022. As no comparable impacts are 

expected for 2023, Sulzer expects net income in 2023 to be significantly higher compared to 2022.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Earnings before interest and taxes
ROS: Return on sales
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
FCF: Free cash flow
For the definition of the alternative performance measures, please refer to “

Supplementary information

”

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Flow Equipment

29

Significant rise in order intake and profitability

Note: If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on organic figures (adjusted for currencies and acquisitions).

The Flow Equipment division returned a strong performance in 2022. Order 
intake increased by 8.9%, despite the war in Ukraine, while profitability rose by 
a substantial 70 basis points year on year. Sales were impacted by corrections 
in the Energy market during the pandemic and fell by 3.4%. Effective January 
2023, Jan Lüder took charge of Flow Equipment as its new Division President. 
The division continues to pursue its strategy of broadening its sustainability‑
enhancing and cleantech solutions. It closed the year with its best safety 
performance in over 15 years.

New Division President

On January 1, 2023, Jan Lüder took over the leadership of the Flow Equipment division as its new 

Division President. Jan brings extensive experience in leading successful international businesses – 

from 2019 to 2022 he was CEO of thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies, where he led the 

transformation of the EUR 1.2 billion business from loss-making to sustainable profit. Before that, he 

was CEO of various thyssenkrup entities, in addition to CEO roles at Primetals Technologies and 

Siemens Metals Technologies.

The Flow Equipment division has accelerated growth in energy transition applications, with fourfold 

growth in renewable and sustainable applications. The sectors with the highest growth rates were 

waste to energy, biofuels

 and solar, where Sulzer offers customers a combination of process 

knowledge, engineering expertise, product reliability and optimized lifecycle costs.

The division is also seeing successes in its 

carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)

 projects, 

further increasing our contribution towards CO  reduction with new orders for specialized multistage, 

2

high pressure, supercritical CO  injection pumps. In 2022, Sulzer was awarded a project to provide 

2

the pumping solutions for one of the largest CCUS operations in the world, accounting for 20% of all 

human-made CO  captured in the world each year. Our technologies will enable the capture of the 

2

low-pressure CO  emissions being vented during the natural gas extraction process, and then 

2

compress them to sales-quality supercritical CO  for use in various applications.

2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Flow Equipment

30

Key figures Flow Equipment

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT 3)

Operational profit

Operational profitability

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

1) Adjusted for currency effects.
2) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects.
3)

Impacted by write-offs related to Russia and Poland.

Strong order intake growth

2022  

2021   Change in +/–%  

+/–% adjusted 1)  

+/–% organic 2)

1’419.2  

1’324.7  

7.1  

9.4  

8.9

30.2%  

850.1  

30.0%  

811.5  

1’323.0  

1’389.0  

32.6  

87.4  

6.6%  

35.1  

81.4  

5.9%  

4.8  

–4.8  

–7.2  

7.3  

–3.1  

6.8  

–3.4

7.5

5’263  

5’325  

–1.2  

The Flow Equipment division continued its strong growth trajectory with orders increasing by a 

significant 8.9% in 2022, more than compensating for the impacts of the war and the subsequent exit 

from the Russian market. The growth was driven by the Industry and Energy business units in 

particular, which returned 12.8% and 11.0% growth respectively.

Order intake by market segment

Order intake by region

2022

2022

37%

 Water

32%

 Energy

31%

 Industry

Rising profitability

46%

 Europe, the Middle East and Africa

31%

 Americas

23%

 Asia-Pacific

Sales in the Flow Equipment division fell by 3.4%, largely due to a drop in Energy orders in 2021 

associated with market corrections during the pandemic and ongoing supply chain difficulties. 

Profitability increased by 66 basis points from 5.9% to 6.6%, despite the slight drop in sales, thanks 

to well-implemented cost discipline and efficiency measures.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Flow Equipment

31

Safety performance in 2022

In 2022, Flow Equipment reported a significantly improved accident frequency rate (AFR) of 1.1 cases 

per million working hours compared to the previous year (2021: 1.9). The accident severity rate (ASR) 

decreased slightly to 33.3 lost days per million working hours, down from 35.4 in the previous year. 

Almost all business units delivered a good, sustained safety performance, most notably BU Water, to 

achieve these results. The “Take Care" campaign released in Q4 2021 continued to build momentum 

throughout 2022 and has had a very positive effect. In 2022, the Flow Equipment division had seven 

fewer lost time incidents compared to 2021. The 2022 safety performance of the Flow Equipment 

division was its best result for more than 15 years.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Earnings before interest and taxes
For the definition of the alternative performance measures, please refer to “

Supplementary information

”

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Services

32

Resilient performance on orders, sales and 
profitability

Note: If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on organic figures (adjusted for currencies and acquisitions).

Order intake in the Services division rose by 1.6% in 2022, while profitability 
remained stable at a high 14.2%. Excluding the impact from the Russia exit, 
order intake would have been substantially higher. Sales remained basically flat 
(+0.7%), despite the division being worst affected by Sulzer’s exit from the 
Russian market. The division continues to strengthen its portfolio of services as 
the most complete player in the market, maximizing the efficiency and life cycles 
of a diverse range of customers’ equipment for critical applications.

Services strengthening its positioning as most complete player 
in the market

The Services division continues to strengthen its portfolio of services, technologies and coverage of 

products used in critical applications, now the most complete player in the market. We are applying 

the latest additive manufacturing and repair technologies for pumps, gas turbines and aeroderivative 

gas turbines. We are also developing low-emission solutions to bring older fleets up to the latest 

emissions standards – our improved offering allows us to provide faster, more sustainable and 

differentiated options to end-users and extend the life of our customers’ equipment.

Furthermore, the division is developing and deploying energy diagnostic tools to further its leadership 

position in retrofit solutions – supporting its customers in many industries with their decarbonization 

goals. Sulzer’s retrofit solutions along with digital monitoring can provide extraordinary efficiency and 

thus energy savings to customers across industries. One recent example: in 2022 the Services 

division was selected by a large desalination operator in Spain to upgrade their pumping system. The 

upgrade helped the plant to reduce its operational expenditure by CHF 400’000 per year and its CO

2

emissions by 1’571 tonnes per year. Sulzer continues to strengthen its position in the desalination 

market as the market leader for pump optimizations, driving progress in this traditionally energy-

intensive industry.

Key figures Services

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT 3)

Operational profit

Operational profitability

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

1) Adjusted for currency effects.
2) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects.
3)

Impacted by write-offs related to Russia and Poland.

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2022  

2021   Change in +/–%  

+/–% adjusted 1)  

+/–% organic 2)

1’171.3  

1’163.4  

0.7  

1.8  

1.6

38.9%  

492.9  

38.0%  

479.5  

1’117.0  

1’117.7  

54.0  

159.0  

14.2%  

148.2  

158.7  

14.2%  

2.8  

–0.1  

–63.5  

0.2  

0.8  

1.4  

0.7

0.8

4’559  

4’571  

–0.3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Services

33

Order intake remains resilient

Order intake in the Services division rose by 1.6% compared with 2021. The Americas saw solid 

growth across all product lines (+11.1%), while the Asia-Pacific region also performed well (+2.4%), 

buoyed by particularly strong activity in Southeast Asia. Europe, the Middle East and Africa returned 

solid order intake, excluding the impact of Russia, driven by high orders in the Middle East in 

particular.

Order intake by market segment

Order intake by region

2022

2022

55%

 Pumps Services

45%

 Other Equipment

46%

 Americas

40%

 Europe, the Middle East and Africa

14%

 Asia-Pacific

Margins stable at high levels

Sales remained flat at CHF 1’117 million (+0.7%). Increased sales in the Americas and the Middle East 

were able to compensate for shortfall in sales caused by the Russian exit. Profitability remained 

unchanged at 14.2% thanks to proactive price management and strict cost control.

Safety performance in 2022

The Services division’s accident frequency rate remained at a very low level of 1.0 cases per million 

hours worked. The accident severity rate decreased significantly, down 34%, from 36 lost days per 

million working hours in 2021 to 23.7 lost days per million working hours in 2022. Over the course of 

2022, the division increased the number of safety observations by 27% and the number of safety 

walks by 54%, reflecting the active participation in and commitment to safety amongst our 

employees.

In addition, progressive investment in machinery safeguarding upgrades continues to ensure safe 

conditions in our service centers. The division will keep focusing on reducing the number of accidents 

and their severity by improving safety awareness with pre-work planning and stop work authority.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Earnings before interest and taxes
For the definition of the alternative performance measures, please refer to “

Supplementary information

”.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Chemtech

34

Record order intake, sales and profitability

Note: If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on organic figures (adjusted for currencies and acquisitions).

The Chemtech division continued its strong performance in 2022, with order 
intake rising by 22.5% compared with 2021. Sales also saw strong growth of 
14.8%, while profitability rose to 10.8%. The division continues to pursue its 
strategy of driving growth in its Renewables segment, which was up by 37.8%. 
The division is now under the leadership of Uwe Boltersdorf, who took over as 
Division President on January 1, 2023.

New Division President

Uwe Boltersdorf took over as the new Division President of the Chemtech division, effective January 

1, 2023. Uwe brings a wealth of technical and commercial expertise and leadership experience – 

before his promotion to Division President he gained intricate knowledge of Chemtech’s businesses 

as Global Head of Technologies and Operational Excellence for the division. Before joining Sulzer, 

Uwe held various management roles from 2014 to 2021 at thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions in the 

EPC, plant engineering and licensing businesses, including as Chief Sales Officer for its chemical 

plant engineering business (formerly Uhde). Uwe has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the 

University of Dortmund, Germany.

Continuing Chemtech’s growth path in Renewables

The Chemtech division continued to drive growth and expand its offering across its Renewables 

businesses, supported by increased investment in R&D. The division is building on its expertise in 

biobased polymers, clean fuels and chemicals, polymer recycling, and carbon capture and storage. In 

2022, the 

Chemtech division acquired a stake in CELLiCON

 to scale up its groundbreaking 

manufacturing technology for nano‑structured cellulose – a highly sustainable, plant-based alternative 

to conventional polymers. The technology slashes the traditionally high costs and footprint associated 

with nanocellulose, allowing it to be scaled and used as a building block for a wide variety of everyday 

products, from textiles to glues. CELLiCON’s technology thereby further expands the Chemtech 

division’s offering in the development of biobased polymers and is helping to stimulate growth in this 

segment.

Storing renewable energy and decarbonizing shipping

The division supplies European Energy with a solution to one of renewable energy’s greatest barriers: 

how to store the energy for later use. European Energy’s groundbreaking process will use Sulzer’s 

separation and mixing expertise to convert renewable electricity from solar panels and wind turbines 

into other forms of easier to store energy, namely e-methanol. Chemtech will provide separation 

technology for the purification of the e-methanol. The plant in Southern Denmark will be the world’s 

first commercial‑scale e-methanol plant and will produce green methanol for use in combustion 

engines and as a chemical feedstock. With a total output of 32’000 metric tonnes of carbon‑neutral 

hydrocarbon‑based fuels per year, the facility will help to progress the decarbonization of the global 

freight industry by fueling A.P. Moller – Maersk’s first zero-carbon container ship.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Chemtech

35

Key figures Chemtech

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT 3)

Operational profit

Operational profitability

2022  

834.9  

31.7%  

501.7  

739.9  

38.3  

80.0  

2021   Change in +/–%  

+/–% adjusted 1)  

+/–% organic 2)

679.5  

30.7%  

433.2  

648.5  

53.6  

64.8  

22.9  

21.7  

22.5

15.8  

14.1  

–28.6  

23.6  

12.9  

23.0  

14.8

23.3

10.8%  

10.0%  

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

2’852  

3’734  

–23.6  

1) Adjusted for currency effects.
2) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects.
Impacted by write-offs related to Russia.
3)

Strong order growth

Orders in the Chemtech division continued on their strong growth path, rising 22.5% in 2022. The 

increase was driven by significant growth in most business segments, particularly in the Renewables 

business, which grew by 37.8%. Renewables accounted for 15.4% of Chemtech’s business in 2022, 

up from 13.6% in 2021, evidencing the continued healthy growth of the segment with steady orders of 

all sizes.

Order intake by market segment

Order intake by region

2022

2022

50%

 Chemicals

18%

 Gas and Refining

15%

 Renewables

13%

 Services

4%

 Water

51%

 Asia-Pacific

25%

 Americas

24%

 Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Rising sales and profitability

Sales also grew by a significant 14.8%, with all of Chemtech’s business units contributing to this 

substantial growth. The increase was driven by very strong execution and excellent work from 

Chemtech’s teams to catch up following extended lockdowns in China. Profitability rose by 80 basis 

points to 10.8%, thanks to scaling effects and cost discipline. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Business review – Chemtech

36

Safety performance in 2022

Chemtech’s accident frequency rate (AFR) remained at a very low level of 0.8 cases per million 

working hours. The accident severity rate (ASR) increased to 44 lost days per million working hours, 

up from 17 the year before, due to two accidents with extended recovery periods. Accident severity 

has become a key focus point for the division’s accident prevention, with a particular focus on the 

human factor. The number of registered safety walks and safety observations recorded have 

increased significantly, with the insights and learnings from these providing a solid foundation for 

future accident prevention.

The division has also incorporated monitoring of the safety performance of non-Sulzer employees (i.e., 

contractors) into Chemtech’s reporting to focus on key areas with our partners and improve 

collaborative safety performance.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Earnings before interest and taxes
For the definition of the alternative performance measures, please refer to “

Supplementary information

”.

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Corporate 
governance

38 Corporate structure and shareholders
40 Capital structure
41 Board of Directors
56 Executive Committee
60 Shareholder participation rights
61 Takeover and defense measures
62 Auditors
63 Risk management
66 Information policy

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Corporate structure and shareholders

38

Corporate structure and shareholders

Sulzer is subject to Swiss corporate and stock exchange laws and applies the 
Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.

Sulzer Ltd (“the Company”) is subject to the laws of Switzerland, in particular Swiss corporate and 

stock exchange laws. The Company also applies the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate 

Governance. The information in the following section is set out in the order defined by the SIX Swiss 

Exchange Directive on Information relating to Corporate Governance (DCG), with subsections 

summarized as far as possible. Sulzer’s consolidated financial statements comply with International 

Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and in certain sections readers are referred to the financial 

reporting section of the Sulzer Annual Report 2022. Sulzer reports the compensation of the Board of 

Directors and the Executive Committee in the 

compensation report

. Unless otherwise indicated, the 

following information refers to the situation on December 31, 2022. Accordingly, the corporate 

governance report does not reflect the revised corporate law in force as of January 1, 2023. The 

Board of Directors intends to propose at the Shareholders’ Meeting in April 2023 the revision of the 

current Articles of Association in order to adapt them to the revised law. The proposed amendments 

will be explained in a report of the Board of Directors accompanying the invitation to the 

Shareholders’ Meeting. Further information on corporate governance is published at 

www.sulzer.com/

governance

.

Corporate structure

The Company’s business is managed on a divisional basis, and the organizational Group structure 

corresponds to these reporting segments, which consist of the Flow Equipment division (renamed in 

2021 from Pumps Equipment), the Services division (renamed in 2021 from Rotating Equipment 

Services) and the Chemtech division. The operational corporate structure is shown under 

note 3

 to 

the “consolidated financial statementsˮ in the financial reporting section. Sulzer Ltd is the only Sulzer 

company listed on a stock exchange. It is based in Winterthur, Switzerland. Its shares are listed and 

traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (Securities No. 3838891/ISIN CH0038388911). On 

December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of all outstanding registered shares of Sulzer Ltd was 

CHF 2’466’890’640. Information on the subsidiaries included in the consolidation can be found under 

note 37

 to the “consolidated financial statements”. The list comprises all consolidated direct 

subsidiaries of Sulzer Ltd as well as all further consolidated subsidiaries.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Corporate structure and shareholders

39

Significant shareholders

According to notifications of Sulzer shareholders, two shareholders held more than 3% of Sulzer Ltd’s 

share capital on December 31, 2022. As published on the SIX disclosure platform on May 29, 2018, 

Tiwel Holding AG held 48.82% of Sulzer’s shares. The beneficial owner of these shares is Viktor 

Vekselberg. Furthermore, The Capital Group Companies, Inc., announced a stake of 3.02% as 

published on the SIX disclosure platform on August 12, 2022. The shares are directly held by the 

Capital Research and Management Company. For information on shareholders of Sulzer Ltd that have 

reported shareholdings of over 3% or a reduction of shareholdings below 3%, please refer to the 

website of the Disclosure Office of SIX Swiss Exchange: 

www.six-exchange-regulation.com/en/home/

publications/significant-shareholders.html

. For the positions held by Sulzer and information on 

shareholders, see 

note 25

 to the “consolidated financial statements”. There are no cross-

shareholdings where the capital or voting stakes on either side exceed the threshold of 5%. For 

information on transactions with related parties, see 

note 33

 to the “consolidated financial 

statements”.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Capital structure

40

Capital structure

Share capital

The fully paid-up share capital of Sulzer Ltd amounts to CHF 342’623.70 and is divided into 

34’262’370 registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.01 per share. The shares are issued in the 

form of uncertificated securities within the meaning of art. 973c of the Swiss Code of Obligations and 

are held as intermediated securities within the meaning of the Swiss Federal Act on Intermediated 

Securities of October 3, 2008. Each registered share entitles the holder to one vote at the 

Shareholders’ Meeting and all shares have equal dividend rights. The Company’s 

Articles of 

Association

 provide for the possibility of a share capital increase in a maximum amount of 

CHF 17’000 through the issuance of up to 1’700’000 registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.01 

per share (corresponding to 4.96% of the current share capital) through the voluntary or mandatory 

exercise of certain conversion, option or similar rights for the subscription of shares granted to 

shareholders or third parties in connection with bonds, loans or other financial market instruments of 

Sulzer Ltd or any of the companies controlled by it (for more details, see § 3a of the Articles of 

Association). The introduction of this conditional capital was approved by Sulzer Ltd’s shareholders at 

the AGM on April 14, 2021. There is no authorized capital, nor are there any participation or dividend 

certificates. 

Restrictions on transferability and nominee registrations

Sulzer shares are freely transferable provided that, when requested by the Company to do so, buyers 

declare that they have purchased and will hold the shares in their own name and for their own 

account. Nominees shall only be entered in the share register with the right to vote if they meet the 

following conditions: the nominee is subject to the supervision of a recognized banking and financial 

market regulator; the nominee has entered into a written agreement with the Board of Directors 

concerning its status; the share capital held by the nominee does not exceed 3% of the registered 

share capital entered in the commercial register; and the names, addresses and number of shares of 

those individuals for whose accounts the nominee holds at least 0.5% of the share capital have been 

disclosed. The Board of Directors is also entitled, beyond these limits, to enter shares of nominees 

with voting rights in the share register if the above-mentioned conditions are not met (see also § 6a of 

the 

Articles of Association

. On December 31, 2022, ten nominees holding a total of 1’499’005 shares 

(4.38% of total shares) had entered into agreements concerning their status. No exceptions were 

granted. All of those shares were entered in the share register with voting rights. Other than these 

restrictions on nominee voting, there are no transfer restrictions and no privileges under the Articles of 

Association. A removal or amendment of the nominee voting restrictions requires a shareholders’ 

resolution with a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes represented.

Convertible bonds and options

No convertible bonds or warrants are currently outstanding. Details of the restricted share units 

(RSUs) issued to the members of the Board of Directors as well as performance share units (PSUs) 

and RSUs issued to the members of the Executive Committee are set out under 

note 32

 to the 

“consolidated financial statements” and under 

note 12

 to the “financial statements of Sulzer Ltd”.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

41

Board of Directors

Members of the Board of Directors are elected individually for a term until the 
end of the next AGM. At the AGM of April 6, 2022, Peter Löscher, Mikhail Lifshitz 
and Gerhard Roiss did not stand for re-election. All other members were re-
elected. Suzanne Thoma was elected as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. 
In addition, Markus Kammüller was elected as a new member of the Board of 
Directors. The Board consists of six members. Except for Suzanne Thoma, who 
was also appointed the company’s CEO as of November 1, 2022, and became 
the Executive Chair, none of the members of the Board of Directors has ever 
held an executive position at Sulzer.

Apart from Executive Chair Suzanne Thoma, all members of the Board of Directors are non-executive. 

None of the non-executive members of the Board of Directors have ever belonged to the 

management of a Sulzer company or to the Executive Committee, nor do any significant business 

relationships exist between members of the Board of Directors and Sulzer Ltd or a subsidiary of 

Sulzer Ltd.

Elections and terms of office

The Articles of Association stipulate that the Board of Directors of Sulzer Ltd shall comprise five to 

nine members. Each member is elected individually. The term of office for members of the Board of 

Directors lasts until the next AGM. At the AGM of April 6, 2022, five Board members were re-elected 

to the Board of Directors. Peter Löscher, Mikhail Lifshitz and Gerhard Roiss did not stand for re-

election. Markus Kammüller was elected as additional member of the Board of Directors. The Board 

consists of six members: one from Cyprus/Israel, one from Denmark, one from France/Switzerland 

and three from Switzerland. Professional expertise and international experience played a key role in 

the selection of the members. The members of the Board of Directors and their CVs can be viewed 

below. Details of the former members of the Board of Directors can be viewed at 

www.sulzer.com/

former-BoD-members

.

According to the Board of Directors and Organization Regulations, the term of office of a Board 

member ends no later than on the date of the AGM in the year when the member reaches the age of 

70. The Board of Directors can make exceptions up to but not exceeding the year in which the 

member reaches the age of 73.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

42

Internal organization

The Board of Directors constitutes itself, except for the Chairperson of the Board of Directors who is 

elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting. The Board of Directors appoints from among its members the 

Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the members of the board committees, except for the 

members of the Remuneration Committee, who are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting. There are 

currently four standing board committees (for their constitution, see below):

The Audit Committee (AC)

The Nomination Committee (NC) 1

The Remuneration Committee (RC) 1

The Strategy and Sustainability Committee (SSC)

1 

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee was split into two separate committees after the 2022 AGM on April 6, 2022.

The 

Board of Directors and Organization Regulations

 and the relevant Committee Regulations, which 

are published under 

corporate governance

 (see "Regulations"), define the division of responsibilities 

between the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. They also define the authorities and 

responsibilities of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and of the four standing board 

committees.

Appointment of an Executive Chair

The Board of Directors appointed its Chairwoman, Suzanne Thoma, as Executive Chair of Sulzer as of 

November 1st, 2022. In this role, she assumed operational management of the Company and also 

took over the responsibilities of the CEO. The Board of Directors identified a need for action in view of 

the constantly evolving market environment and the associated structural shift in demand in the 

energy and infrastructure sectors. Therefore, the Board has tasked Suzanne Thoma with conducting a 

thorough review and comprehensive realignment of Sulzer’s strategy. To ensure optimal cooperation 

and transparency between the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee in these fluctuating 

market conditions, the Board of Directors entrusted Suzanne Thoma with managing Sulzer as a whole 

in an executive chair model.

Outlook governance framework changes

To ensure an appropriate governance framework and to ensure checks and balances in an executive 

chair governance model, the Board has decided to take measures and to strengthen its corporate 

governance framework by establishing a separate, standing corporate governance committee and by 

appointing a lead independent director, who will chair the governance committee. Subject to being re-

elected to the Board at the 2023 AGM, the Board intends to entrust its current member Markus 

Kammüller with the position of lead independent director. The lead independent director shall ensure, 

on behalf of the Board of Directors, that the rules of good corporate governance are adhered to in the 

decision-making of the Board. In this context, the lead independent director may call for and chair 

meetings of the non-executive Board members whenever required. He should also act as a point of 

contact for members of the Board to discuss matters regarding the Company’s corporate governance 

that they would like to raise in the absence of the Executive Chair.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

43

The governance committee will consist of three non-executive and independent Board members and 

will meet at least once annually. The governance committee will support the Board of Directors in 

fulfilling its duties by providing independent advice to the Board of Directors with respect to checks 

and balances in a governance model where certain Board members have executive functions. Within 

this scope, the governance committee oversees the Company’s compliance with the Swiss Code of 

Best Practice for Corporate Governance, its internal organizational regulations as well as applicable 

legal, regulatory and listing requirements in terms of corporate governance and advises the Board on 

these aspects. It will periodically review the principles of corporate governance and counsel the Board 

of Directors with regard to significant developments in the law and best practice of good governance. 

Furthermore, the governance committee will act as a sounding board for the lead independent 

director.

Due to her appointment as Executive Chair, Suzanne Thoma will step down as member of the 

Remuneration Committee and as chair of the Nomination Committee, on which she will continue to 

serve as a regular member only and which will further consist of two non-executive, independent 

members of the Board of Directors after the 2023 AGM.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

44

CVs of members of the Board of Directors

Dr. Suzanne Thoma 1
Chairwoman of the Board 

Chairwoman of the Nomination Committee and the Strategy and Sustainability 

Committee

Member of the Remuneration Committee

Educational background

Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Graduate School of Business 

Administration (GSBA), Zurich, Switzerland

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, BayWa r.e., Munich

Member of the Board of Directors, Swiss Ventures Group, Zurich

Vice President of the foundation “Avenir Suisse”, Switzerland

Career
Dr. Suzanne Thoma (Switzerland) was elected as member of Sulzer’s Board of Directors in 2021 and as 

Chairwoman in 2022. In addition, Suzanne Thoma was appointed Executive Chairwoman of Sulzer as of November 

1, 2022. From 2013 to 2022, she was CEO of BKW AG, Berne, Switzerland. Prior to being appointed CEO of BKW, 

she was a member of the Group Executive Committee of BKW, responsible for the Networks division. Before that, 

she was head of the Automotive division of the WICOR Group, Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, and CEO of Rolic 

Technologies Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland. Suzanne Thoma also served in various management roles and countries 

at Ciba Specialty Chemicals Ltd. (now BASF).

1) Chairwoman since April 6, 2022, and Executive Chair since November 1, 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

45

Matthias Bichsel 1
Member of the Board, Vice Chairman

2

Member of the Strategy and Sustainability Committee

3

Educational background

Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland

Honorary professor, Chinese University of Petroleum, China

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, Petrofac, UK

Member of the Advisory Board, Chrysalix EVC, Canada

Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Utilities Ltd, Canada

Member of the Board of Directors, Southpole Holding, Switzerland

Member of the Board of Directors, Voliro AG, Switzerland

Career
Matthias Bichsel (Switzerland) joined the Sulzer Board of Directors in 2014. Currently, he is member of the Board 

of Directors of Petrofac, UK (since 2015), member of the Board of Directors of South Pole Holding, Switzerland 

(since 2015), member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Utilities, Canada (since 2014), member of the Board of 

Directors of Voliro AG, Switzerland (since 2021) and member of the Advisory Board of Chrysalix EVC, Canada 

(since 2015). From 2009 to 2014, he was member of the Executive Committee of Royal Dutch Shell plc and 

Director of its Projects and Technology Business, the Netherlands. Previously, during his international career with 

Shell since 1980, he served in various senior management roles such as Executive Vice President in Exploration 

and Production, the Netherlands, CEO/Chairman of Shell International Exploration and Production Inc and 

Managing Director of Shell Deepwater Services, Houston, TX, USA.

1) Not standing for re-election at the AGM 2023
2) Since April 6, 2022
3) Chairman until April 6, 2022, member since April 6, 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

46

Alexey Moskov
Member of the Board
Member of the Remuneration Committee 1

Educational background

Master’s degree in Software Engineering/Developing from the Moscow State 

University of Railway Engineering, Russia

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, Witel Ltd (formerly Renova Management 

Ltd), Switzerland

Member of the Board of Directors, OC Oerlikon, Switzerland

President of the Board of Directors, Liwet Holding AG, Switzerland (as of 2022)

Chairman of the Board of Directors, A2-Link AG, Switzerland

Career
Alexey Moskov (Cyprus and Israel) was elected as new member of the Sulzer Board of Directors in 2020. As of 

2022, he is President of the Board of Directors of Liwet Holding AG. Since 2018, Alexey Moskov is the sole 

member of the Board of Directors of Witel Ltd, Switzerland. Since 2016 he has been a member of the Board of 

Directors of OC Oerlikon and from 2019 until 2020 of Swiss Steel Holding. From 2004 to 2018, he was Chief 

Operating Officer of Renova Management AG, Switzerland. Previously, he served as Vice-President and member 

of the Executive Board at Tyumen Oil Company (now TNK-BP), Russia, and as member of the Board of Directors 

of OAO NGK Slavneft, Russia (1998–2004).

1) Since April 6, 2022

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen 1
Chairwoman of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee

2

Member of the Nomination Committee

Educational background

MSc in Economics and Management, University of Aarhus, Denmark

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, Tata Motors Ltd., India

Member of the Board of Directors, Ferrovial S.A., Spain

Member of the Board of Directors, Holcim Ltd., Switzerland

Member of the Board of Directors, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, United 

Kingdom

Member of the Board of Directors, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., India

Career
Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen (Denmark) joined the Sulzer Board of Directors in 2018. In 2017, she was 

interim CEO of V.Group Limited, the world’s largest ship management and marine service company headquartered 

in London. From 1994 to 2016, she held various positions within the A.P.Moller – Maersk A/S Group in Denmark, a 

conglomerate of several companies primarily within the energy and transportation industry: CEO of Damco, the 

Netherlands (2014–2016), CEO of Maersk Tankers, Denmark (2012–2013), Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer 

of Maersk Line, Denmark (2008–2012)

1) Not standing for re-election at the AGM 2023
2) Chairwoman since April 6, 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

47

David Metzger
Member of the Board

Member of the Strategy and Sustainability Committee  and Audit Committee

1

Educational background

Master of Business Administration from INSEAD Business School

Master of Finance (lic. oec. publ.), University of Zurich

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, Swiss Steel Holding AG, Switzerland

Member of the Board of Directors, Octo Telematics, Italy

Member of the Board of Directors, medmix AG, Switzerland

Career
David Metzger (Switzerland and France) was elected as member of Sulzer’s Board of Directors in 2021. He is 

currently Managing Director Investments and Portfolio Manager for Liwet Holding AG. Prior to this David Metzger 

held senior positions in Witel AG, and previously the Renova Group, as Deputy Managing Director M&A and 

Strategic Investment at Renova Management AG, and Chief Financial Officer of Venetos Management AG (part of 

the Renova Group). Prior to this, he held various roles at Good Energies Inc., Bain & Company, Novartis, and 

Morgan Stanley.

1) Member since April 6, 2022

Markus Kammüller 1
Member of the Board

Member of the Nomination and the Audit Committee

Educational background

Degree in Business Administration, University of Applied Sciences, Lucerne, 

Switzerland

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, Gonset Holding SA, Gonset Immeubles 

d’Entreprises SA and Gonset Immeubles Résidentiels SA, Switzerland

Career
Markus Kammüller (Switzerland) joined the Sulzer Board of Directors in 2022. He is the founder and owner of 

ExecDelta GmbH, a company specialized in transformation and change-management consulting. Prior to 

establishing his own business in 2019, he held the position of Global Head of Transformation at BDO International, 

Brussels (2016 to 2019). Before that, he was a Partner at PwC in the role of EMEA Chief Operating Officer and 

Global Change Management Leader (2006 to 2016). He also held various managerial positions at IBM Switzerland 

(2002 to 2006) and PwC Consulting (1996 to 2002) where he was a Partner and acted as senior advisor for large 

listed international corporations. From 1985 to 1996 he held various roles in finance, treasury and risk management 

at The Dow Chemical. From 1978 to 1982 he worked in the credit department of Swiss Volksbank.

1) Since April 6, 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

48

Operating principles of the Board of Directors and its 
committees

All decisions are made by the full Board of Directors. For each application, written documentation is 

distributed to the members of the Board of Directors prior to the meeting. The Board of Directors and 

the committees meet as often as required by the circumstances. The Board of Directors meets at 

least five times per year; the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Nomination 

Committee and the Strategy and Sustainability Committee meet at least twice per year. In 2022, the 

Board held eight meetings, one additional meeting for the constitution of the Board after the AGM and 

nine video/conference calls lasting from five minutes to eight hours. For further details, see the table 

below. The CFO and the Group General Counsel as well as the Secretary of the Board of Directors 

also generally attend the Board meetings in an advisory role. Other members of the Executive 

Committee are invited to attend Board meetings as required to discuss the midterm planning, the 

strategy and the budget, as well as division-specific items (such as large investments and 

acquisitions). In exceptional cases, external consultants (e.g., legal advisors, management consultants 

or executive compensation experts) are also invited for the presentation or discussion of specific 

agenda items in meetings of the Board of Directors or any of its committees.

The committees do not make any decisions, but rather review and discuss the matters assigned to 

them and submit the required proposals to the full Board of Directors for a decision. At the next full 

Board meeting following the committee meeting, the Chairpersons of the committees report to the full 

Board of Directors on all matters discussed, including key findings, opinions and recommendations.

Board of Directors

Name

  Nationality

  Position

  Entry

  Elected until

  Board   AC

  NC

  SSC

  RC

 NRC 4)

    Attending meetings of the

Suzanne Thoma

  Switzerland

Matthias Bichsel

  Switzerland

Chairwoman, 
Chairwoman SSC 
and NC, member RC  

Vice Chairman of the 
Board, member SSC  

April 2021 1)

  2023

March 2014 2)

  2023

David Metzger

Switzerland / 
France

Member AC, 
member SSC

  April 2021

  2023

Alexey Moskov

  Cyprus / Israel

  Member RC

  April 2020

  2023

  17

  18

  18

  15

  -

  -

  5

  1

Hanne Birgitte 
Breinbjerg 
Sørensen

  Denmark

Markus Kammüller

  Switzerland

Chairwoman AC, 
chairwoman NC

Member of the NC 
and the AC

  April 2018

  2023

  18

  5

  April 2022

  2023

  15

  4

  3

  4

  3

  2

  4

  -

  -

  -

  -

  3

  3

  -

  -

  -

  -

  3

  3

  2

  -

  -

  3

  -

  -

  -

AC = Audit Committee, NC = Nomination Committee, SSC = Strategy and Sustainability Committee, RC = Remuneration Committee, NRC = Nomination and Remuneration Committee
1) Chairwoman since April 6, 2022
2) Vice Chairman since April 6, 2022 and until April 19, 2023
3) Split into the NC and RC after AGM 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

49

Additional mandates of members of the Board of Directors 
outside the Sulzer Group

According to Sulzer’s 

Articles of Association

, the maximum number of additional mandates held by 

members of the Board of Directors outside the Sulzer Group is ten (of which a maximum of four 

mandates may be with listed companies) (§ 33). Exceptions (e.g. for mandates held at the request of 

Sulzer or mandates in charitable organizations) are defined in the Articles of Association (§ 33 

paragraphs a, b and c). All members of the Board of Directors are within the limits for external 

mandates prescribed by the Company’s Articles of Association.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee (members listed above) assesses the midyear and annual consolidated financial 

statements and activities of the internal and statutory auditor, including effectiveness and 

independence, as well as the cooperation between the two bodies. It also assesses the Internal 

Control System (ICS), risk management and compliance; at least one meeting per year is dedicated to 

risk management and compliance. The regulations of the Audit Committee can be viewed at 

www.sulzer.com/ac-regulations

. The CFO, the Group General Counsel, the Head of Group Internal 

Audit (who is also the Secretary of this committee) and the external auditor-in-charge attend the 

meetings of the Audit Committee. The Executive Chair may attend the meeting unless advised 

otherwise by the Head of Internal Audit. In 2022, the Audit Committee held five regular meetings, one 

in February, two in July, one in September and one in December. The meetings lasted, on average, 

between one and two and a half hours. The statutory auditor attended all of these meetings. Internal 

experts, such as the Group General Counsel and the Heads of Group Internal Audit, Group Corporate 

Finance, Group Accounting, Group IT, Group Compliance and Risk Management, and Group Tax 

gave presentations to the Audit Committee in 2022. In February, the Audit Committee is informed of 

compliance exposures as a result of periodic risk assessments, and it receives an overview of 

compliance cases under investigation. In September, the Audit Committee is briefed on the present 

state of risk management within the Company and on the results of the risk management process – a 

process to systematically identify and evaluate significant risks and introduce countermeasures. In the 

same meeting, an update on Sulzer’s compliance approach, including the respective ongoing – and 

planned – activities, is provided. The major current compliance cases (if any) are reported to and 

discussed by the Audit Committee regularly.

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee (members listed above) assesses the criteria for the election and re-

election of Board members and the nomination of candidates for the top two management levels and 

deals with succession planning. The Executive Chair and the Chief Human Resources Officer (who is 

also the Secretary of this committee) attend the meetings of the Nomination Committee. In 2022, 

three regular meetings were held in July, September and December, taking on average one hour. The 

regulations of the Nomination Committee are available at 

www.sulzer.com/nc-regulations

.

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Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee assesses the compensation systems and recommends compensation 

for the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee (including bonus targets for 

the latter) on behalf of the Board of Directors and in accordance with its specifications. It carries out 

broad-based compensation benchmarks with an international comparison group, supported by 

studies of consulting firms such as Mercer and Willis Towers Watson, and it scrutinizes the work of 

internal and external consultants. The members of the Remuneration Committee are elected by the 

Shareholders’ Meeting. In 2022, three regular meetings were held in July, September and December, 

taking on average one hour. The regulations of the Remuneration Committee can be viewed 

at 

www.sulzer.com/rc-regulations

.

Strategy and Sustainability Committee

The Strategy and Sustainability Committee (members listed above) advises the Board of Directors on 

strategic matters (such as material acquisitions, divestitures, alliances and joint ventures), strategic 

planning, definition of development priorities, and the Company’s sustainability initiatives and 

objectives as well as on other relevant public policy matters. The regulations of the Strategy and 

Sustainability Committee can be viewed at 

www.sulzer.com/ssc-regulations

. In 2022, four regular 

meetings and one extraordinary meeting took place in February, May, June and October, lasting one 

and a half to two and a half hours.

Division of powers between the Board of Directors and the 
Executive Committee

The Board of Directors has largely delegated executive management powers to the Executive 

Committee. However, it is still responsible for matters that cannot be delegated in accordance with 

Art. 716a of the Swiss Code of Obligations. These matters include corporate strategy, the approval of 

midterm planning and the annual budget, as well as key personnel decisions and the preparation of 

the compensation report. The same applies to acquisition and divestiture decisions involving a 

transaction value exceeding CHF 30 million, investments in fixed assets exceeding CHF 15 million, 

major corporate restructurings, approval of dispute settlements with an impact on operating income 

of more than CHF 20 million, approval of research and development projects exceeding CHF 10 

million, as well as other matters relevant to the Company, and decisions that must be made by law by 

the Board of Directors. The competency regulations and the nature of the collaboration between the 

Board of Directors and the Executive Committee can be viewed in the Board of Directors and 

Organizational Regulations at 

www.sulzer.com/BoD-organizational-regulations

.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

51

Information and control instruments

Each member of the Board of Directors receives a copy of the monthly financial information (January 

to May and July to November), plus the midyear and annual financial statements. These include 

information about the balance sheet, the income and cash flow statements, and key figures for the 

Company and its divisions. They incorporate comments on the respective business results and a 

rolling forecast for the current business year. The Executive Chair and the CFO report at every Board 

meeting on business developments and all matters relevant to the Company; once each year, the 

Board receives the forecasted annual results. During these Board meetings, the Chairs of the 

committees also report on all matters discussed by their committees and on the key findings and 

assessments, and they submit proposals accordingly. Each year, the Board of Directors discusses 

and approves the budget for the following year and the midterm plan, which is also subject to periodic 

review. In addition, the Board of Directors receives a status update on investor relations on a regular 

basis.

Group Internal Audit

Group Internal Audit reports functionally directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee, but 

administratively to the CFO. Meetings between Group Internal Audit and the statutory auditor take 

place regularly. They are used to prepare for the meetings of the Audit Committee, to review the 

interim and final reports of the statutory auditor, and to plan and coordinate internal and external 

audits. Group companies are audited by Group Internal Audit based on an audit plan that is approved 

by the Audit Committee. Depending on the risk category, such audits are carried out on a rotational 

basis either annually or every second, third or fourth year. Group Internal Audit carried out 50 audit 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

52

assignments (including audit follow-up reviews and internal controls testing) in the year under review. 

One of the focal points is the internal control system (ICS). The results of each audit are discussed in 

detail with the companies and (where necessary) the divisions concerned, and key measures are 

agreed upon. The Executive Chair, the members of the Audit Committee, the CFO, the Group General 

Counsel as well as the respective Division President and other line managers of the audited entity 

receive a copy of the audit report. Significant findings and recommendations are also presented to 

and discussed with the Executive Committee and the Group General Counsel during the biweekly 

Executive Committee meetings. A follow-up process is in place for all group internal audits, which 

allows efficient and effective monitoring of how the improvement measures are being implemented. 

Each year, the Head of Group Internal Audit compiles a report summarizing activities and results. This 

report is distributed to members of the Board of Directors and the members of the Executive 

Committee, and it is presented to the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee. It is discussed 

in both committees and, thereafter, reported to the Board of Directors.

Risk management and compliance

Sulzer has established and implemented a comprehensive, value- and risk-based compliance 

program that focuses on prevention, detection and response. It consists of the following main 

elements:

Strong values and building up a strong ethical and compliance culture

Sulzer puts a high priority on conducting its business with integrity, in compliance with all applicable 

laws and internal rules (“a clean deal or no dealˮ), and on accepting only reasonable risks. Sulzer 

follows a “zero-toleranceˮ compliance approach. The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee 

firmly believe that compliant and ethical behavior in all aspects and on all levels is a precondition for 

successful and sustainable business. The ethical tone is set at the top, carried through to the middle, 

and is transmitted to the entire organization. Sulzer also fosters a speak-up culture and encourages 

employees to address potentially non-compliant behaviors. Retaliation against whistleblowers acting 

in good faith will not be tolerated.

Risk assessment

As part of Sulzer’s integrated risk management process, compliance risks are assessed regularly and 

mitigated with appropriate and risk-based actions. The results are discussed both with the 

management and with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee dedicates at least one full meeting 

per year to risk management and compliance. An overview of the main risks and corresponding 

mitigation measures is provided in the chapter “

Risk management

” of this corporate governance 

report.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

53

Internal rules and tools

Sulzer has a Code of Business Conduct, which can be viewed in 18 languages at 

www.sulzer.com/

governance

 (under “Code of Business Conductˮ). Every employee of the Company (including 

employees of newly acquired businesses) has to confirm in writing that he or she has read and 

understood this code, and will comply with it. Every member of the Sulzer Management Group 

(approximately 70 managers), the heads of the operating companies, the headquarters, regional and 

local compliance officers as well as the legal entity finance heads must reconfirm this compliance 

commitment in writing annually. Furthermore, Sulzer joined the UN Global Compact initiative in 2010. 

The latest 

Communication on Progress Report

 was published on August 26, 2022, and can be 

downloaded from 

www.sulzer.com/sustainability

.

Rules

Although Sulzer follows a behavior- and principle-based approach, compliance directives and 

processes have been implemented as elements of the governance framework. Sulzer focuses on the 

major compliance risks, e.g.:

Bribery and corruption risks: Sulzer has had a group-wide anti-bribery and anti-corruption 

program in place since 2010. This program includes a web-based process that addresses the 

due diligence of intermediaries, a company-wide directive for offering and receiving gifts and 

hospitalities, and an e-training module (in thirteen languages) to familiarize Sulzer employees with 

the requirements of the directive.

Antitrust and anticompetition risks: Sulzer has an antitrust directive addressing behaviors in trade 

associations in place.

Export control risks: Employees involved in export activities have to comply with all applicable 

export and re-export laws and regulations. Sulzer rolled out and implemented its global Trade 

Control Directive in all legal entities concerned. Every exporting legal entity has an internal 

control program (ICP) in place that includes processes and defines responsibilities on export 

control matters and other important requirements to comply with export compliance laws and 

regulations.

Further risks (e.g. non-compliance with stock exchange laws and regulations; human resource-

related issues; insufficient protection of intellectual property and know-how; violations of privacy 

and data protection laws; product liability; risk related to environment, quality, safety and health, 

etc.): Focused rules and processes address these and many other potential risks. Sulzer has 

processes that ensure compliance with insider laws as well as stock exchange reporting and 

notification duties. Local compliance officers performed 27 face-to-face compliance training 

sessions. Due to the COVID-19 preventive measures, face-to-face sessions have been replaced 

by 13 compliance webinars, conducted by Group Compliance and covering 1’924 employees. In 

addition, 36 export control trainings have been provided.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

54

Tools

Sulzer has a compliance hotline and an incident reporting system that provides employees with one of 

many options for reporting (potential) violations of laws or internal rules. Reports can be made 

anonymously or openly via a free hotline or a dedicated website. The Company has a directive that 

sets clear rules for internal investigations. Further tools are available to all employees on Sulzer’s 

intranet (e.g. presentations addressing the major exposures, draft agreements, sales and procurement 

handbooks with compliance-specific explanations and standard clauses). Sulzer has a compliance 

risk assessment process in place to identify and assess potential compliance risks on a local entity 

level and to define appropriate measures. For newly acquired companies, Sulzer sets up a post-

merger integration process consisting of a systematic post-merger compliance risk analysis, which 

provides the foundation for risk-based mitigation actions.

Organization

Since 2013, Sulzer has had a Legal, Compliance and Risk Management group function (headed by the 

Group General Counsel). Within this organization, a line reporting structure is in place for the three 

regions: Americas (AME); Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific (APAC). The 

local Compliance Officers ultimately report – via Regional Compliance Officers and the Chief 

Compliance Officer – to the Group General Counsel. In addition, the headquartered Compliance and 

Risk Management team steers and runs the group-wide compliance program and all compliance 

investigations. To ensure the consistent rollout of Group Compliance initiatives, the compliance 

organization uses direct reporting lines. The Group General Counsel informs the Board of Directors 

and the Executive Committee regularly about legal matters and key changes in legislation that may 

affect Sulzer, as well as on important litigation. Twice a year, the Audit Committee receives a report 

about any pending or threatened litigation with worst-case exposure exceeding CHF 0.5 million. 

Further information on reports to the Audit Committee is provided in the “Audit Committeeˮ section 

above.

Awareness building and trainings

Sulzer puts substantial effort into training its employees. Training is carried out through e-learning 

programs (new programs are rolled out and existing programs are updated every year), in person or 

through web conferences. In 2022, Sulzer employees completed 21’797 compliance e-learning 

courses.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Board of Directors

55

Controls and sanctions

The Group Function Legal supports the audits done by Group Internal Audit following the same audit 

process. The Group Function Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) organized 7 external health and 

safety compliance audits. The focal points were occupational health and safety compliance with 

applicable regulations. The results of each of these audits were discussed directly with the 

responsible managers, and an agreement was reached on any improvements required. Audit actions 

are reported in a central repository (group tool) that enables the follow-up and tracking of closures 

and is regularly reviewed by management. The latest status of the Company’s risks relating to 

environment, safety and health is reported to the Audit Committee once a year. Apart from these 

formal audits, internal investigations (triggered by reports from the compliance hotlines, e-mails, 

telephone calls or other avenues of communication) were carried out during 2022 and at least 17 

employees had to leave Sulzer because of violations of Sulzer’s Code of Business Conduct. Others 

received warnings or faced other disciplinary measures. However, most of the reports received 

concerned non-material issues.

Continuous improvement

It is Sulzer’s goal to constantly improve its compliance and risk management approach. Findings of 

audits and internal investigations are assessed, internal processes and rules are adjusted, and training 

modules are improved. Sulzer always reviews compliance violations to determine whether they are 

rooted in a process weakness. If that is found to be the case, the process will be improved and risk-

mitigating measures will be taken.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Executive Committee

56

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the Executive Chair, the Chief Financial 
Officer (CFO), the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Sustainability 
Officer, the Division President Services and the Division President Chemtech.

The Board of Directors delegates executive management powers to the Executive Chair. The 

Executive Chair delegates the appropriate powers to the members of the Executive Committee (EC). 

The Division Presidents define and attain business targets for their respective divisions in accordance 

with group-wide goals. The 

Board of Directors and Organization Regulations

 govern, among other 

things, the transfer of responsibilities from the Board of Directors to the Executive Chair and the EC. 

There are no management contracts with third parties. None of the Executive Committee members 

has a contract with a notice period exceeding 12 months. The members of the Executive Committee 

and their CVs can be viewed below. Daniel Bischofberger stepped down from the Executive 

Committee in February 2022, Jill Lee in May 2022 and Frederic Lalanne in October 2022 . Details on 

1

the former members of the Executive Committee can be found at 

www.sulzer.com/former-EC-

members

.

1) Furthermore, Armand Sohet and Torsten Wintergerste stepped down as members of the Executive Committee in January 2023.

CVs of Executive Committee members

Dr. Suzanne Thoma 1
Executive Chair

Chairwoman of the Nomination Committee and the Strategy and Sustainability 

Committee 

Member of the Remuneration Committee

Educational background

Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Graduate School of Business 

Administration (GSBA), Zurich, Switzerland

Binding interests

Member of the Board of Directors, BayWa r.e., Munich

Member of the Board of Directors, Swiss Ventures Group, Zurich

Vice President of the foundation “Avenir Suisse”, Switzerland

Career
Dr. Suzanne Thoma (Switzerland) was elected as member of Sulzer’s Board of Directors in 2021 and as 

Chairwoman in 2022. In addition, Suzanne Thoma was appointed Executive Chairwoman of Sulzer as of November 

1, 2022. From 2013 to 2022, she was CEO of BKW AG, Berne, Switzerland. Prior to being appointed CEO of BKW, 

she was a member of the Group Executive Committee of BKW, responsible for the Networks division. Before that, 

she was head of the Automotive division of the WICOR Group, Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, and CEO of Rolic 

Technologies Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland. Suzanne Thoma also served in various management roles and countries 

at Ciba Specialty Chemicals Ltd. (now BASF).

1) Appointed as Executive Chair as of November 1, 2022

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Executive Committee

57

Thomas Zickler 1
Chief Financial Officer

Educational background

Studies in economics (1988 – 1994), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, 

Faculty of Economic Science, Frankfurt on Main, Germany

Binding interests

None

Career
Thomas Zickler (Germany and Switzerland) was appointed Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive 

Committee on May 1, 2022. Thomas Zickler joined Sulzer as Head of Group Treasury in 2015 and was most 

recently Head of Group Corporate Finance & Shared Services. Since 2016, he has been a Member of the Board of 

Trustees of Sulzer Vorsorgeeinrichtung (SVE) and Johann Jakob Sulzer-Stiftung (JJS). Before joining Sulzer, he 

worked as Country Treasurer for ABB Switzerland in Baden (2010-2015). From 2006 until 2009, he was Vice 

President and Head of External Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting Policies Department for ABB Group in 

Zurich. Prior to this, from 1996 until 2006, he held various positions within Finance (controlling, accounting, 

treasury, IT consulting) at DaimlerChrysler in Stuttgart and Berlin. In 1995, he started his career in controlling at 

Sherwood Medical and Metallgesellschaft in Frankfurt on Main. During his studies he worked for Siemens AG in 

the Central Finance Department and Siemens Capital Corporation, in Munich and New York City, and as an analyst 

at Georg Hauck & Son Bankiers in the equity research department in Frankfurt on Main.

1) Appointed on May 1, 2022

Armand Sohet 1
Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Sustainability Officer

Educational background

Diploma in Mathematics and Sociology from Besançon University, France

Graduate of Institut d’Etudes Politiques Paris, France

Binding interests

None

Career
Armand Sohet (France) joined the Executive Committee as Chief Human Resources Officer in 2016 and was 

appointed Chief Sustainability Officer in 2021. He was Human Resources Senior Executive Leader of GE Grid 

Solutions from 2015 to 2016. Before, he was Head of Human Resources at Alstom Grid (2011–2015). From 2010 to 

2011, he served as Group Vice President of Constellium. From 2007 to 2010, he led Human Resources for Thales 

Defence & Security C4I Systems. He previously held various positions at Novartis in Switzerland and in France, 

including Head of Human Resources of the Ophtha business unit, Basel, Switzerland (2006–2007), Head of Human 

Resources of Western and Central Europe, Basel (2004–2006), Head of Human Resources of Novartis France 

(2000–2004), and Human Resources Manager of Field Forces and Marketing at Novartis Pharma France (1998–

2000). Armand Sohet started his career at Peugeot PSA, where he served in various managerial positions in the 

field of Human Resources (1989–1998).

1) Stepped down as of January 1, 2023

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Executive Committee

58

Tim Schulten 1
Division President Services

Educational background

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology (ETH), Zurich

Master in Business Administration, Harvard Business School, Boston

Binding interests

Director of JCB Group Holdings Sàrl

Career
Tim Schulten (Switzerland) joined the Sulzer Executive Committee as Division President Services in 2022. Prior to 

that he was the Group Head for Marketing, Strategy and Digital. Before joining Sulzer, Tim Schulten was the 

General Manager and responsible for global Product Support & Marketing for Caterpillar’s Electric Power 

Business. From 2012 to 2015 he was General Manager for Sales & Distribution for Caterpillar’s global gas engine 

business, responsible for building and leading the organization during the post-acquisition integration of MWM. 

From 2007 to 2012, he was a Division Manager responsible for Caterpillar’s Electric Power Retail business in 

Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Prior to that he held various positions in sales, marketing and product support 

with Caterpillar and he spent several years in California working in technology start-ups. Over the course of his 

career, he has lived in Zürich, Geneva, Munich, Boston, San Francisco, and Mannheim.

1) Appointed on January 1, 2022

Torsten Wintergerste 1
Division President Chemtech

Educational background

Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA), University of St. Gallen, 

Switzerland

Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology 

(ETH) Zurich, Switzerland

Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Germany

Binding interests

None

Career
Torsten Wintergerste (Switzerland) was announced as Division President Chemtech and member of the Executive 

Committee in 2016. He has been Head of Chemtech’s business unit Separation Technology for Europe, Middle 

East, India, Russia, and Africa since 2012. He joined Sulzer in 1998, first within the research and development unit 

Sulzer Innotec, where he became Head of the groupwide center of excellence for fluid technology. From 2006 to 

2012, he worked in various managerial positions within Sulzer’s division Chemtech, amongst others Director 

Polymer Technology as well as Manager Technology and Business Development of the Sulzer Mixpac business 

unit. Before joining Sulzer, he was a research associate at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich in 

Switzerland (1994–1998) and at the National Aeronautics and Space Research Center in Germany (1992–1994).

1) Stepped down as of January 6, 2023

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Executive Committee

59

Additional mandates of members of the Executive Committee 
outside the Sulzer Group

No member of the Executive Committee may hold more than five mandates, of which no more than 

one may be in listed companies (

Articles of Association

, § 33). Exceptions (e.g. for mandates held at 

the request of Sulzer or mandates in charity organizations) are defined in the Articles of Association (§ 

33, paragraphs a, b and c). All members of the Executive Committee are within the limits for external 

mandates prescribed by the Company’s Articles of Association.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Shareholder participation rights

60

Shareholder participation rights

Restrictions and representation of voting rights

Only nominees are subject to restrictions (see section “

Capital structure

” of this corporate governance 

report). No exceptions were granted during the reporting year, and no measures to remove these 

restrictions are planned. According to the Articles of Association, a shareholder may be represented 

at a Shareholders’ Meeting by its legal representative, another shareholder with the right to vote or the 

independent proxy. Shares held by a shareholder may be represented by only one person.

Statutory quorum

Changes to the Articles of Association may only be approved by a majority of at least two-thirds of the 

voting rights represented at the Shareholders’ Meeting, other than ordinary share capital increases 

(against payment in cash and without the exclusion of shareholders’ preemptive rights), which are 

decided by an absolute majority of the votes represented. The dissolution or a merger of the 

Company can only be decided upon if at least half the shares issued are represented at the 

Shareholders’ Meeting and two-thirds thereof vote in favor of the corresponding proposal (see also § 

16 of the 

Articles of Association

).

Convocation of the Shareholders’ Meeting and submission of 
agenda items

The applicable regulations regarding requests for the convocation of an extraordinary Shareholders’ 

Meeting are in line with the applicable law regarding the convocation of a Shareholders’ Meeting. 

Shareholders representing at least 2% of the share capital may submit items for inclusion on the 

agenda of a Shareholders’ Meeting. Such submissions must be requested in writing at least two 

months prior to the meeting and must specify the agenda items and proposals of the shareholder 

concerned (see also § 12 of the 

Articles of Association

).

Entry in the share register

Voting rights may be exercised by shareholders who are registered in the share register on the record 

date stated in the invitation to the respective Shareholders’ Meeting.

Independent proxy

At the AGM of April 6, 2022, Proxy Voting Services GmbH was elected as the independent proxy for a 

term of office extending until completion of the next AGM. The Articles of Association do not contain 

rules on the granting of instructions to the independent proxy and the electronic participation in the 

Shareholders’ Meeting which deviate from the default Swiss law.

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61

Takeover and defense measures

The Articles of Association contain no opting-out or opting-up clauses. If there is a change of control, 

all restricted share units (RSUs) allocated to Board members are automatically vested. Also, the 

performance share units (PSUs) allocated to members of the Executive Committee are converted into 

shares on a pro rata basis and based on actual achievement of the performance targets, without 

being subject to blocking restrictions. A change of control includes an acquisition of, or a public 

takeover offer in relation to, more than 33.33% (RSUs) or 50% or more (PSUs) of the voting rights.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Auditors

62

Auditors

The statutory auditor is elected at the AGM for a one-year term of office. KPMG AG has been acting 

as the statutory auditor since 2013. As of the financial year 2020, the acting external auditor-in-charge 

is Rolf Hauenstein. The external auditor-in-charge is replaced every seven years. The Audit 

Committee is in charge of supervising and monitoring the statutory auditor, and it reports to the Board 

of Directors (see section “Audit Committeeˮ in the chapter “

Board of Directors

” of this corporate 

governance report). The members of the Audit Committee receive summaries of audit findings and 

improvement proposals at least once a year. The external auditor-in-charge and his deputy were 

invited to attend meetings of the Audit Committee. In 2022, the statutory auditor was present at all 

five Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee or its Chairperson meets separately with the 

Head of Group Internal Audit and the statutory auditor at least once a year to assess (among other 

things) the independence of the internal and statutory auditors. The Audit Committee evaluates the 

work done by the statutory auditor based on the documents, reports and presentations provided by 

the statutory auditor, as well as on the materiality and objectivity of their statements. To do so, the 

Audit Committee gathers the opinion of the CFO. The Audit Committee reviews the fee paid to the 

auditor regularly and compares it with the auditing fees paid by other internationally active Swiss 

industrial companies. Said fee is negotiated by the CFO and approved by the Board of Directors. 

Further information on the auditor, in particular the auditor’s fees and any additional fees received by 

the auditor for advisory services outside its statutory audit mandate, is listed under 

note 34

 to the 

“consolidated financial statementsˮ. All advisory services provided outside the statutory audit 

mandate (essentially, consulting services related to audit and accounting as well as legal and tax 

advisory services) are compliant with the applicable independence rules.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Risk management

63

Risk management

At Sulzer, risks are assessed regularly as part of the Company’s integrated risk 
management process. The results are discussed with the management and the 
Audit Committee.

Risk

  Risk exposure

  Main loss controls

External and markets

Market assessment

Market developments that are assessed inappropriately could 
lead to missed business opportunities or losses.

Geopolitical shocks

A geopolitical shock event could have an impact on operations 
and travel. Also, it could imply currency risks and default risks 
of countries and banks.

48.82% of Sulzer’s shares are beneficially owned by Viktor F. 
Vekselberg, who is listed as a Specially Designated National by 
the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and subject to 
sanctions in other jurisdictions including the Ukraine, Japan, 
the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Poland. These 
sanctions and possible future sanctions in further countries 
could result in negative media coverage, damage to Sulzer’s 
reputation and impair existing business relationships with 
customers, suppliers, banks or other business partners as well 
as Sulzer’s ability to win future business.

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Continuous monitoring and assessment of market 
developments

Systematic midrange planning based on market 
developments and expectations

Monitoring of exposure in critical countries

Monitoring of debt situation of countries and banks

Continuous monitoring of raw material prices and inflation 
indicators

Sulzer’s global presence mitigates the effect of geopolitical 
shocks

Continuous monitoring of international sanctions 
environment and seeking of advice by reputable sanctions 
law firms

—

Maintaining and enhancing a robust sanctions compliance 
program

On April 25, 2022, Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Poland Sp. z o.o. 
and Sulzer Turbo Services Poland Sp. z o.o. were sanctioned in 
Poland due to Viktor F. Vekselberg’s ownership stake in Sulzer. 
Subsequently, Sulzer had to wind down its commercial 
activities in Poland.

—

Continuous monitoring of international sanctions 
environment and seeking of advice by reputable sanctions 
law firms

—

Maintaining and enhancing a robust sanctions compliance 
program

Strategic

Innovation

Failure in R&D and innovation activities could negatively impact 
the ability to operate and to grow the business. Insufficient 
investments in innovation to maintain technology leadership 
and develop innovative products.

Environment, Social and 
Governance (ESG)

ESG-related regulations could change. Stakeholder 
expectations related to ESG commitments could change. Not 
meeting regulatory requirements could result in fines, limit 
access to financing, impact banking channels and result in loss 
of business and reputational damages

Operational

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—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

A phased process, technical risk manageability 
assessments and key performance indicators to ensure 
quality of the development

Product development council with strong focus on 
strategic plans and digitalization

Prototypes and own test beds to test and validate 
products before market release

Core technology council for research of basic technology

Focus on innovation with strategic customers

Innovation and ideation projects

Implementation of an expert development program for key 
critical resources

Board Strategy and Sustainability Committee extended to 
cover ESG and sustainability

Setting of clear ESG-related objectives and progress 
tracking

ESG initiatives driven by EC including different group and 
business functions covering regulatory requirements and 
supply chain due diligence

—

ESG assessments in business projects

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Risk management

64

Attraction and retention

Failure to attract, retain and develop people could lead to a 
lack of critical skills and knowledge, which hinders both daily 
operations and growth potential.

Health and safety

An unsafe working environment could lead to harm to people, 
reputational damage, fines as well as liability claims and could 
have a serious economic impact.

Environmental

Environmental damage could lead to harm to people and 
nature, reputational damage, fines as well as liability claims and 
could have a serious economic impact.

Compliance

Non-compliant or unethical behavior could lead to reputational 
damage, fines and liability claims.

—

—

—

—

—

Ensuring that Sulzer’s people and performance efforts are 
anchored to the Company’s values and behaviors

Ongoing feedback through employee opinion survey 
“Voice of Sulzer”

Robust internal communications strategy

Ongoing engagement in workshops and collaborative 
activities

Visibility and access to creating development experiences 
and opportunities

—

Consistent approach to salary grading and benchmarking

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Health and safety directives, guidelines, programs (e.g. 
Safe Behavior Program) and training

OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 certifications

Monthly health and safety controlling and regular audits, 
systematic risk assessments

Global network of health and safety officers

Immediate implementation of COVID-19 preventive 
measures in all legal entities and workplaces, including: 
informing and training employees on COVID-19 preventive 
measures; implementation of risk assessment procedures, 
travel ban for high-risk countries and approval concepts 
for business travel; implementation of remote working; 
implementation of remote video to support final 
acceptance procedures in manufacturing

Mitigation in comprehensive environmental due diligence 
(EDD) projects for acquisitions and divestitures

Elimination of environmentally damaging substances 
through Prohibited Substances List

Sulzer sustainability strategy that defines key targets in 
view of climate change

Active fostering of high ethical standards by tone from the 
top and middle management

Continuous monitoring and assessment of potential 
exposures

Continuous monitoring of regulatory environment

Sulzer Code of Business Conduct and a number of 
supporting regulations (e.g. anticorruption, antitrust, trade 
control)

Third-party due diligence process

Global and centrally led organization of compliance and 
trade compliance officers

Compliance training (incl. e-learning) and audits

Sensitive country list with escalation process and project-
specific compliance assessments in high-risk countries

—

Speak-up culture, compliance hotline and sanction checks

Quality of products and 
services

Failure of high-quality products and services could lead to 
repeated work, reputational damage or liability claims.

—

Quality management and assurance systems tailored to 
specific businesses

—

Third-party accreditation

—

Competence development programs and training of 
employees

—

Test centers

Business interruptions

Business interruption, such as a fire, could cause damage to 
people, property and equipment. It could have a negative effect 
on the ability to operate at the affected site. Security incidents 
could impact the IT infrastructure or systems, which could 
result in a business interruption. Business interruption caused 
by pandemic-related lockdowns or bottlenecks in logistics 
centers, lack of transport capacities, lack of raw materials or 
electronic parts or increased demand could have an impact on 
operations and supply chains and thus could lead to serious 
economic impact.

—

—

—

—

Crisis and emergency management systems (at global and 
local level) including close monitoring of incidents which 
could impact supply chains

Risk management policy and guidelines

Global manufacturing footprint and global procurement

IT security standards, measures and incident response 
team

—

Disaster recovery plans in IT

—

Implementation of COVID-19 business interruption 
response team to support businesses in becoming 
qualified as essential service providers

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Risk management

65

—

Global monitoring of COVID-19-related governmental 
decisions and COVID-19 impacts on supply chains and 
availability of raw materials

—

Enhancement of IT infrastructure to cope with higher data 
volumes during extended remote work

Financial

Financial markets

The unpredictability of financial markets may have a negative 
effect on Sulzer’s financial performance and its ability to raise 
or access capital.

—

Group financial policy

—

Foreign exchange risk policy

Credit

Credit risks arising from financial institutions and from 
customers could have a negative effect on Sulzer’s financial 
performance and ability to operate.

Liquidity

Failure in liquidity risk management may have a negative effect 
on Sulzer’s financial performance and its ability to operate.

—

Trading loss limits for financial instruments

—

—

For financial institutions, only parties with a strong credit 
quality are accepted (third-party rated)

Individual risk assessment of customers with large order 
volumes

—

Continuous monitoring of country risks

—

—

—

Continuous liquidity monitoring

Management of liquidity reserves at group level

Cash flow program to optimize liquidity and cash flow 
management

—

Efficient use of available cash through cash pooling

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Information policy

66

Information policy

Sulzer Ltd reports on its order intake every quarter (media releases) and on its financial results every 

half-year. In each case, it also comments on the business performance and outlook. In addition, the 

Company reports on important events on an ongoing basis (ad hoc publications). The reporting 

referred to in the 

compensation report

 (including the respective references to the financial reporting 

section) complies with the recommendations on the content of the compensation report as laid out in 

section 42 of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.

The announcements of the Company are published in the Swiss Official Journal of Commerce. In 

accordance with § 38 of the 

Articles of Association

, the Board of Directors is at any time authorized to 

designate further publication organs. Notices to registered shareholders in those cases prescribed by 

law shall take place in writing to the shareholder’s address last known to the Company.

The address of the Company’s main registered office is at Neuwiesenstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur.

Key dates in 2023

February 20: Annual results 2022

April 17: Order intake Q1 2023

April 19: AGM 2023

July 25: Midyear results 2023

October 25: Order intake nine months 2023

These dates and any changes can be viewed at 

www.sulzer.com/events

. Media releases (sent via e-

mail) can be subscribed to at 

www.sulzer.com/subscribe

. Other information is available on the Sulzer 

website 

www.sulzer.com

, or by contacting Investor Relations: 

https://www.sulzer.com/en/about-us/

investors

 – Christoph Ladner, Head of Investor Relations, +41 52 262 30 22

Material changes between December 31, 2022, and the 
publication of this report

Matthias Bichsel and Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen will not stand for re-election at the 2023 

AGM. Furthermore, Armand Sohet and Torsten Wintergerste stepped down as members of the 

Executive Committee effective as of January 1, 2023, and January 6, 2023, respectively. Armand 

Sohet was succeeded by Haining Auperin as Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Sustainability 

Officer and Torsten Wintergerste by Uwe Boltersdorf, Division President Chemtech. Jan Lüder started 

as Division President Flow Equipment as of January 1, 2023.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Corporate governance – Information policy

67

General blackout periods

Generally, and regardless of whether any inside information exists or not, pursuant to Sulzer Ltd’s 

Securities Trading Regulation, the trading in Sulzer Ltd securities is prohibited for (a) the members of 

the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, (b) any staff reporting to any member of the 

Executive Committee, (c) members of Group Finance, Group Planning and M&A, Group 

Communications and Investor Relations, and (d) any external advisors having access to inside 

information in connection with Sulzer Ltd’s financial reporting, during the following periods: (i) the 

periods starting on January 1 and July 1 until and including the trading day of the public releases of 

the respective full-year or half-year reports (if published prior to 7:30 a.m.) or the following trading day 

(if published between 5:40 p.m. and midnight) and (ii) the periods starting on April 1 and October 1 

until and including the trading day of the public releases of the respective quarterly results (if 

published prior to 7:30 a.m.) or the following trading day (if published between 5:40 p.m. and 

midnight. Under certain circumstances (in particular in case of personal hardship), the Company may 

allow exceptions to a blackout period upon reasoned request by an employee, provided that such 

employee is not in possession of any inside information. Such exceptions must be issued in writing 

with a copy to the employee’s file.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Compensation 
report

69 Letter to the shareholders
71 Compensation governance and principles
74 Compensation architecture for the CEO and EC 

members

85 Compensation of the Executive Committee for 

2022

91 Compensation architecture for the Board of 

Directors

93 Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2022
96 Auditor’s report

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Letter to the shareholders

69

Paying for sustainable performance

Winterthur, February 20, 2023

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and of the Remuneration Committee (RC), I am pleased to present 

this 2022 Compensation Report. At Sulzer we have put in place a compensation system that allows us 

to attract, motivate and retain the talent we need to ensure the company’s success. We have not 

made any changes to the current framework and have kept our principles unchanged.

The year 2022 was marked by a solid performance, albeit impacted by the geopolitical situation that 

led us to close our operations in Poland and leave Russia. We have taken these exceptional events 

into account, and you will find more details in this report on how compensation was affected.

The Board also took the decision to appoint its Chairwoman, Suzanne Thoma, as Executive Chair of 

Sulzer effective November 1, 2022. In this role, she will also drive the business operationally and 

enable an optimization of the strategy review. She replaces Frédéric Lalanne, who resigned at the end 

of October 2022. The Remuneration Committee also sought to reflect the nature of these two roles in 

Suzanne Thoma’s remuneration. You will find more details in this report on this particular subject.

The Remuneration Committee also carried out its regular activities, including the determination of the 

financial targets for the long-term remuneration plans, the determination of the maximum aggregate 

for the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, the analysis of the individual objectives of the 

members of the Executive Committee, and the analysis of the remuneration benchmark for the Board 

of Directors and the Executive Committee. In 2021, we also conducted with Mercer an equal pay 

analysis on all Swiss entities. These results, which were audited by KPMG, showed that there was no 

gender pay gap in Switzerland. In 2022, we continued this analysis with respect to nine countries and 

plan to continue this study with respect to 14 countries in 2023. On this last point, the Remuneration 

Committee reviewed the group of companies that Sulzer uses as a benchmark for remuneration and 

revised it to accurately reflect the size of our company.

In terms of pay levels, we increased neither base salaries nor the target amounts for the bonus and 

PSP. In addition, there were no special grants on variable compensation. The target cash 

compensation thus remained unchanged for 2022 compared to 2021. The compensation for the 

Executive Committee amounted to kCHF 11’536 in 2022, a sharp reduction of 21.0% compared to 

2021 (kCHF 14’609) and was therefore below the maximum amount previously approved by Sulzer’s 

AGM 2021 for the period in question.

Compensation paid to the Board of Directors in 2022 was below the maximum amounts previously 

approved by the AGM for the period in question. No changes to the Board’s compensation were 

deemed necessary. At Sulzer’s AGM in 2023, you will be asked to vote on the maximum aggregate 

compensation for the Board of Directors for its 2023–2024 term and on the maximum aggregate 

compensation for the Executive Committee for 2024.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Letter to the shareholders

70

This compensation report will be submitted for a non-binding, consultative vote to our shareholders. 

We encourage and pursue open, regular dialogue with our stakeholders. Your constructive input is 

highly valued and appreciated, as we continue to improve and align our compensation system. On 

behalf of Sulzer, the Remuneration Committee and the Board, I thank you for your supportive 

feedback and for your continued trust in our company.

Sincerely,

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen 

Chairwoman of the Remuneration Committee

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation governance and principles

71

Compensation governance and principles

Compensation policies and plans at Sulzer reward performance, sustainable 
growth and long-term shareholder value creation. The compensation programs 
are competitive, internally equitable, straightforward and transparent. The 
compensation report is prepared in accordance with the Ordinance against 
Excessive Compensation in Listed Stock Corporations (Compensation 
Ordinance), the SIX Swiss Exchange Directive on Information relating to 
Corporate Governance (RLCG) and the principles of the Swiss Code of Best 
Practice for Corporate Governance.

Remuneration Committee

The 

Articles of Association

, the 

Board of Directors and Organization Regulations

, and the 

Remuneration Committee Regulations

 define the functions of the Remuneration Committee (RC). The 

RC supports the Board of Directors in establishing and reviewing the compensation strategy and 

principles, and in preparing the proposals for the Shareholders’ Meeting regarding the compensation 

of the members of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee.  

The RC is responsible for the following activities and submits all proposals concerning these activities 

to the Board of Directors, which has the final decision‑making authority:

Periodic assessment of the compensation policy and programs

Determination of performance targets for the CEO and the Executive Committee positions for the 

purpose of the incentive plans

Preparation of the proposals for the Shareholders’ Meeting on the maximum aggregate amounts 

of compensation for the Board of Directors and for the Executive Committee

Determination of the target compensation for the CEO and for the Executive Committee positions

Preparation of the compensation report

The table below describes the levels of authority:

Compensation policy and programs

  proposes

  approves

  CEO

  RC

  Board

Aggregate maximum compensation amounts for the Executive 
Committee and for the Board of Directors to be submitted to vote 
at the AGM

Remuneration system and Board member fees

Compensation of the CEO

  proposes

  reviews

  proposes

  approves

  proposes

  approves

Individual compensation of the members of the Executive 
Committee

  proposes

  reviews

  approves

Performance objectives and assessment of the CEO

  proposes

  approves

Performance objectives and assessment of the Executive 
Committee

  proposes

  reviews

  approves

Shareholders’ 
Meeting

approves (binding 
vote)

Compensation report

  proposes

  approves

  consultative vote

As per the Remuneration Committee Regulations of Sulzer AG, the RC consists of at least three 

members who are non-executive and independent and who are elected individually and annually by 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation governance and principles

72

the Shareholders’ Meeting for the period of office until the following ordinary AGM . At the 2022 

1)

AGM, Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen (Chairwoman) and Suzanne Thoma were re‑elected as 

members of the RC. Alexey Moskov was elected for the first time as a member of the RC.

The RC meets as often as the business requires, but at least twice a year. In 2022, the RC held four 

regular meetings (of which one took place as part of the former NRC structure) that were attended by 

all members. Besides the standard agenda items, the RC discussed investors’ feedback on the AGM 

2021 and further focused its efforts on the definition of the compensation packages for the CEO 

Frédéric Lalanne and Suzanne Thoma in her dual role of CEO and Chairwoman of the Board. A major 

review of the peer group was carried out in order to align the remuneration structure of the Executive 

Committee with a representative benchmark of our industry.

The CEO and the Chief Human Resources Officer, who serves as the Secretary of the RC, generally 

attend the meetings. The Chairwoman of the Committee may invite other executives to join the 

meeting in an advisory capacity, when appropriate. However, the CEO and any other executives do 

not participate in the meetings, or parts of it, when their own remuneration and/or performance is 

discussed.

The Chairwoman of the RC reports to the next meeting of the full Board of Directors on the activities 

of the RC and the matters debated. The Chairwoman, as far as necessary, submits the respective 

proposals for approval by the Board of Directors. The minutes of the RC meetings are available to all 

members of the Board of Directors.

The RC may appoint third-party companies to provide independent advice or perform services as it 

deems necessary for the fulfillment of its duties.

1) Since the appointment of Suzanne Thoma as Executive Chair with effect from November 1, 2022, the requirement that all the members of the RC are non-
executive and independent is no longer met. Therefore, Suzanne Thoma will not stand for re‑election to the RC in the 2023 AGM, and the company intends to 
propose another non-executive and independent candidate instead.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation governance and principles

73

Shareholders’ role and engagement

The company is keen to receive shareholders’ feedback on the compensation policy and programs, 

and it began the practice of holding a consultative vote on the compensation report in 2011. 

Additionally, the company regularly meets with shareholders and shareholder representatives to 

understand their perspectives. At the AGM, shareholders approve the maximum aggregate 

compensation amounts for the Board of Directors and for the Executive Committee in an annual 

binding vote.

Furthermore, the 

Articles of Association

, which are also subject to shareholders’ approval, govern the 

principles of compensation. They include the following provisions related to compensation):

Principles of compensation (article 31): Non-executive members of the Board of Directors receive 

fixed compensation only. Members of the Executive Committee receive fixed and variable 

compensation elements. The variable compensation may include short-term and long-term 

variable compensation components. These are governed by performance metrics that take into 

account the performance of the company, the Group or parts of it, targets in relation to the 

market, other companies or comparable benchmarks and/or individual targets, as well as 

strategic and/or financial objectives. Compensation may be paid in the form of cash, shares, 

options, financial instruments or similar units, in kind, in services, or in other types of benefits.

Shareholders’ binding vote on compensation (article 29): the Shareholders’ Meeting shall 

approve the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Board of Directors for the next 

term of office and the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Executive 

Committee for the following financial year. The Board of Directors shall submit the annual 

compensation report to an advisory vote at the AGM.

Additional amount for members of the Executive Committee hired after the vote on 

compensation by the Shareholders’ Meeting (article 30): if the maximum aggregate amount of 

compensation as approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting is insufficient, up to 40% of the 

maximum aggregate amount of compensation approved for the Executive Committee shall be 

available, without further approval, for the compensation of the members of the Executive 

Committee who were appointed after the AGM.

Loans, credit facilities and post-employment benefits for members of the Board of Directors and 

of the Executive Committee (article 34): the company may not grant loans or credits to members 

of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation architecture for the CEO and EC members

74

Compensation architecture for the CEO and 
Executive Committee members

Compensation principles

The compensation of the Executive Committee is driven by the main principle of pay‑for‑

performance. The compensation policy and programs are designed to reward performance, 

sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value creation, while offering competitive remuneration 

to be able to attract and retain highly qualified employees. The compensation principles are:

Risk

  Risk exposure

Pay-for-performance

Strategy alignment

Ownership

Market competitiveness

Internal equity

Transparency

A substantial portion of the compensation is delivered in the form of variable incentives based on 
company and individual performance.

The performance criteria are selected to create adequate incentives for achieving the operational 
and strategic objectives.

Part of the compensation is delivered in the form of company equity to foster ownership and to 
align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.

Compensation levels are competitive and in line with market practice to attract and retain highly 
qualified employees.

  The internal compensation structure is based on a job-grading methodology applied globally.

Compensation programs are straightforward and transparently explained in the compensation 
report.

Method of determining compensation: benchmarking

To ensure compensation levels that are competitive and in line with market practice, the 

compensation of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee is benchmarked against that 

of similar roles in comparable companies every one to two years.

The RC regularly reviews the composition of the peer group, which is applied for benchmarking 

purposes. In 2021, the committee decided to revise the composition of the peer group from 2022 

onward. Twelve industrial companies of comparable size and complexity from the Swiss market form 

the peer group, which is used to derive the compensation levels for the Board of Directors and for the 

Executive Committee.

While the previous peer group represented a good benchmark in terms of sales and headcount, the 

market capitalization of the peer group was well above Sulzer’s value. With the new benchmarking 

peer group, all three criteria are comparable to Sulzer in size.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation architecture for the CEO and EC members

75

Compensation benchmark

The comparison group reflects Sulzer’s ambitious business strategy:

ALSO

Bucher Industries

Clariant

dormakaba

Forbo

Galenica

Geberit

Georg Fischer

Landis + Gyr

OC Oerlikon

Schindler

Sonova

The intention is to pay target compensation around the median of the relevant market. Nevertheless, 

compensation is not granted based on benchmark results alone. The role, responsibility, experience 

and in particular the difference between a new entrant to a role and someone with experience who 

has already demonstrated their impact in a similar role, are also criteria in determining remuneration. A 

globally applied job-grading methodology fosters internal equity.

The compensation of the Executive Committee is governed by internal regulations such as the total 

reward policy, the bonus plan, the performance share plan and benefits plans. The compensation of 

the Executive Committee is reviewed by the RC annually and, if necessary, adjusted and approved by 

decision of the Board of Directors based on a proposal by the RC. The compensation of the Executive 

Committee is summarized as follows:

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation architecture for the CEO and EC members

76

Compensation elements for the members of the Executive Committee

  Base salary

  Benefits

Short-term incentive 
plan (bonus plan)

Long-term incentive 
plan (PSP 2022)

Share ownership 
guidelines (SOG)

Main parameters

Function, level of role, 
profile of incumbent 
(skill set, experience)

Pension and social 
security contributions, 
fringe benefits

Achievement of annual 
financial and individual 
objectives

Key drivers

Labor market, internal 
job-grading

Protection against risks, 
labor market, internal 
job-grading

Operational profit, 
sales, operational 
operating net cash flow 
(operational ONCF)

Link to compensation 
principles

Competitive 
compensation

Competitive 
compensation

Pay-for-performance, 
strategy alignment

Vehicle

  Cash

Pension and insurance 
plans, perquisites

  Cash

Variable, capped at 
200% of target bonus. 
Target bonus amounts 
to 90% of annual base 
salary for the CEO and 
60% of annual base 
salary for the other 
members of the 
Executive Committee. 
Clawback provisions 
implemented.

Amount

  Fixed

  Fixed

Grant/vesting/payment 
date

  Monthly

  Monthly and/or annually  

March of the following 
year

Achievement of long-
term, company-wide 
objectives, share price 
performance

Operational profit 
growth, operational 
return on average 
capital employed 
adjusted (operational 
ROCEA), relative total 
shareholder return 
(TSR)

Pay-for-performance, 
strategy alignment, 
ownership

Performance share 
units (PSUs) settled in 
shares

Variable. Grant value is 
defined based on the 
Global Grade and 
corresponds to CHF 
1’000’000 for the CEO 
and between CHF 
330’000 and CHF 
400’000 for the other 
members of the 
Executive Committee 
(EC). Vesting payout 
percentage is capped 
at 250% and vesting 
value is capped at CHF 
2’500’000 for the CEO 
and at CHF 825’000 to 
CHF 1’000’000 for the 
other members of the 
EC. Malus and 
clawback provisions 
implemented.

Grant: April 1, 2022 
Vesting: December 31, 
2024 Share delivery: 
March 2025

Performance period

  –

  –

1 year (January 1, 
2022–December 31, 
2022)

3 years (January 1, 
2022–December 31, 
2024)

  Level of role

Share price 
performance

  Ownership

Obligation to privately 
invest in Sulzer shares 
and to hold these 
shares until the end of 
the service period

CEO: 200% of base 
salary. Other members 
of the Executive 
Committee: 100% of 
base salary.

  –

  –

The compensation of the Executive Committee contains fixed, performance-independent elements to 

provide a secure income and to ensure that no unreasonable risks are taken. In order to create 

reasonable incentives for the Executive Committee, to align the interests of the Executive Committee 

and shareholders, to ensure pay-for-performance and implement the company’s strategy in the 

Executive Committee’s compensation, it contains also short‑ and long‑term performance‑dependent 

elements:

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In line with the pay-for-performance principle, a significant portion of the compensation of the CEO 

(59%) and for the other members of the Executive Committee (52%) consists of variable incentives 

based on performance. Furthermore, the compensation structure ensures sustainable long-term 

growth, as the long-term variable compensation makes up the largest portion of the target total 

compensation (see “Overview of compensation elementsˮ).

Base salary (fixed, in cash)

The base salary is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on the market value of 

the respective position and the incumbent’s qualifications, skillset and experience. An internal job-

grading methodology provides orientation and fosters internal equity.

Benefits

Members of the Executive Committee participate in the regular employee pension fund applicable to 

all employees in Switzerland. The retirement plan consists of a basic plan that covers annual earnings 

up to CHF 149’125 per year and a supplementary plan in which income over this limit, up to the 

ceiling set by law, is insured (including variable cash remuneration). The contributions are age‑related 

and are shared between the employer and the employee.

Furthermore, each member of the Executive Committee is entitled to a representation allowance in 

line with the expense regulations for all members of management in Switzerland and approved by the 

tax authorities.

Bonus (variable, performance-based, cash remuneration)

The bonus rewards the financial performance of the company and/or its businesses, as well as the 

achievement of individual performance objectives over one calendar year. Performance objectives are 

defined at the beginning of the year during annual target setting. Achievement is assessed against 

each of those objectives after year-end and directly influences the variable incentive payouts.

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The target bonus is expressed as a percentage of annual base salary. It amounts to 90% for the CEO 

and to 60% for the other members of the Executive Committee. For the CEO and the other members 

of the Executive Committee, 70% of the bonus is based on the achievement of financial objectives at 

company and/or division level, and 30% is based on the achievement of individual objectives as 

described below:

Category

  Weight

  Objectives

  Rationale

CEO/CFO/ 
CHRO  

Division 
President

Operational 
profitability

  Measure of profitability (bottom line)

Division

Sulzer

25%  

Financial performance

  70%

Sales

  Measure of growth (top line)

Operational operating 
net cash flow 
(operational ONCF)

  Measure of cash generated

Sulzer

Division

Sulzer

Division

25%  

20%  

7.5%

17.5%

7.5%

17.5%

6%

14%

Cost-effectiveness

Objectives linked to cost reduction or 
optimization

Individual

10%  

10%

Growth initiatives

Faster and better

Individual performance

  30%

Sustainable Sulzer

Include initiatives that support the 
growth of Sulzer, such as M&A 
projects, breaking into new markets 
or new accounts

Initiatives focused on the profitability 
of Sulzer, with objectives linked to 
speed (“faster”) and quality (“better”)

Objectives linked to the three major 
priorities of Sulzer’s sustainability 
plan, namely minimizing our carbon 
footprint, enabling a low carbon 
society and engaging our employees 
and communities

Individual

5%  

5%

Individual

5%  

5%

Individual

  Total

10%  

100%  

10%

100%

The objectives are set within the annual target-setting process. For each financial objective, the 

following parameters are set upfront:

An expected level of performance (“targetˮ), the achievement of which leads to a payout factor 

(on the respective performance metric) of 100%.

A minimum level of performance (“thresholdˮ), below which the respective payout factor is zero.

A maximum level of performance (“capˮ), above which the respective payout factor is capped at 

200%. 

Between threshold and target, as well as between target and cap, the payout factor is interpolated 

linearly.

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In order to measure individual performance, each Executive Committee member is given different 

personal objectives for each of the four individual performance categories (“Cost-effectivenessˮ, 

“Growth initiativesˮ, “Faster and betterˮ and “Sustainable Sulzerˮ) at the beginning of the financial 

year. The CEO reviews the individual performance based on the personal objectives of each Executive 

Committee member, which in turn is reviewed by the RC. The CEO’s individual performance is 

assessed by the RC.

“Cost‑effectivenessˮ, for example, includes objectives like cost-saving (travel spend reduction, real 

estate cost reduction, etc.), whereas objectives for the category “Faster and better” considers, among 

others, on-time delivery percentage improvement. “Growth initiatives” include, for example, 

successful completion of M&A actions or sales growth in specific countries.

The “Sustainable Sulzerˮ criteria used to assess the performance of the Executive Committee are 

structured around the three major priorities of Sulzer’s sustainability plan, namely minimizing our 

carbon footprint, enabling a low‑carbon society and engaging our employees and communities. The 

following topics are examples that could be considered for the Executive Committee:

Minimizing carbon footprint

  Enabling a low-carbon society

  Engaging employees and communities

—

—

Reduction of greenhouse gas 
emissions

Energy consumption, and the supply 
of decarbonized energy to our 
production sites

—

Reduction of waste and the recycling 
of our waste

—

—

—

Increase in the energy efficiency of our 
products

—

Employee engagement

Solutions to treat wastewater and 
provide access to water for 
populations that are deprived of it

—

Employee accident rate

Low-carbon or decarbonized solutions 
such as the conversion of waste into 
eco-fuel or the capture of CO2

—

Number of employees enrolled in the 
health and wellbeing program, Sulzer 
in Motion

—

Circular economy

Sulzer strives for transparency in relation to pay-for-performance. However, further disclosure of 

financial and individual objectives may create a competitive disadvantage to the company, because it 

would reveal sensitive insights into Sulzer’s strategy. To ensure transparency while avoiding 

competitive risk, Sulzer provides a general performance assessment for each financial objective as 

well as the aggregated individual performance at the end of the performance cycle (see chapter 

“

Compensation of the Executive Committee for 2022

”).

On the basis of this performance assessment, a payout factor is determined for each financial 

objective as a result of the actual performance. The weighted average of the resulting payout factors 

on each performance metric will be multiplied by the target bonus amount to derive the actual bonus, 

which will be paid out in March of the following year.

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The objectives for the bonus plan are linked to Sulzer’s strategic goal of promoting the sustainable 

and profitable growth of the company. They are chosen to provide different incentives for growth and 

shareholder value creation.

Strategic link of bonus plan

Growth

Profitability

Long-term 
shareholder value 
creation

Bonus plan

Operational profit

Sales

Operational ONCF

Cost-effectiveness

Growth initiatives

Faster and better

Sustainable Sulzer

Performance share plan (variable, performance-based, share-
based remuneration)

The long-term shareholder orientation and value creation is incentivized by a performance share plan 

(PSP) granting performance share units (PSUs) to the members of the Executive Committee. PSUs are 

a conditional right to a certain number of shares of the company, subject to ongoing employment and 

to the achievement of strategic/financial performance targets at Group level over the three-year 

performance period. The PSP is based on the performance of the company over three years and 

aligns the interests of the participants with those of the shareholders by delivering a substantial 

portion of the compensation as company equity. This emphasizes and supports Sulzer’s focus on 

pay-for-performance and sustainable growth, with a long-term perspective and additional retention 

effect on employees.

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The PSP is a plan with annual grants and is available exclusively to the members of the Executive 

Committee and of the Sulzer Management Group. The grant value is determined based on the level of 

the executive’s role and amounts to CHF 1’000’000 for the former CEO, Frédéric Lalanne, and CHF 

1’000’000 for the current CEO, Suzanne Thoma, and to between CHF 330’000 and CHF 400’000 

(determined by the Board of Directors) for the other members of the Executive Committee. The 

number of PSUs granted is calculated by dividing the grant value by the three-month volume-

weighted average share price before the grant date (units prorated as per entry date into 

employment).

The key performance criteria measured over the three-year performance period of PSU are:

Operational profit before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

growth, weighted at 25%

Average operational return on capital employed (operational ROCEA), weighted at 25%

Relative total shareholder return (TSR) weighted at 50% and measured based on the 

performance against international peers, measured as a percentile ranking

Peer group for relative TSR performance of PSP 2022

International peers

Andritz

Burckhardt Compression

Ebara

Flowserve

ITT

OC Oerlikon

Pentair

Wood Group

Xylem

The Board of Directors can alter the composition of the peer group if deemed necessary, such as in 

the case of a merger or acquisition or any other change leading to a delisting or a fundamental change 

in the scope of the business of a peer group company. In such a situation, the Board will select new 

peer companies. There is a predefined successor list of companies to support the Board of Directors 

in the selection process.

The threshold, target and maximum for the relative TSR in the international peer group remained 

unchanged.

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82

For each performance condition of the PSP, a threshold, target and cap performance level are 

determined, which in turn determine the achievement factor. Sulzer strives for transparency in relation 

to pay-for-performance and discloses all information whose exposure cannot lead to strategic 

disadvantages.

Disclosure of internal financial objectives may create a competitive disadvantage for the company 

because it could reveal sensitive insights into Sulzer’s strategy. To ensure transparency while avoiding 

competitive risk, Sulzer provides a general performance assessment for each performance criteria at 

the end of the performance cycle based on the following metric (see chapter “

Compensation of the 

Executive Committee for 2022

”).

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83

On the vesting date, the number of vested PSUs is calculated by multiplying the initial number of 

PSUs granted by the weighted average of the achievement factor of each performance condition. For 

each vested PSU, a Sulzer share will be delivered to the participant.

However, while the above-mentioned performance assessment impacts the number of PSUs vested 

and, consequently, the number of shares delivered, there might also be an increase in value per share 

over the three-year performance period, which may have a relevant impact on the actually delivered 

total value after three years. Therefore, the number of vested PSUs is subject to an absolute value cap 

representing, in each case, 2.5 times the original grant value.

The objectives for the PSP are linked to Sulzer’s strategic goal of promoting the sustainable and 

profitable growth of the company. They are chosen to provide different incentives for growth and 

shareholder value creation.

Strategic link of PSP

PSP

Operational profit growth

Operational ROCEA

Relative TSR

Growth

Profitability

Long-term 
shareholder value 
creation

In the event of termination of employment, the following provisions apply:

Type of termination

  Provision

By the employer for 
cause

  Unvested PSUs are forfeited.

As a result of retirement

Vesting and performance measurement of PSUs continues according to plan, no early allocation of the 
shares.

Any other reason

The number of unvested PSUs vest on a pro rata basis (number of months between grant date and 
termination date) according to the achievement factor at the end of the vesting period. There is no early 
allocation of the shares.

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Upon the occurrence of a change of control, PSUs will vest immediately on a pro rata basis, subject 

to a performance assessment by the Board of Directors. In such a case, the Board of Directors may 

also determine a cash settlement of the awards.

Malus and clawback

The Board of Directors may determine that PSUs are forfeited in full or in part (malus) or that a vested 

award will be recovered in full or in part (clawback) in situations of material misstatement of the 

financial results, an error in assessing a performance condition or in the information or assumptions 

on which the award was granted or vested, serious reputational damage to the company, gross 

negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of the participant. In 2021, the clawback clause was 

extended to cover bonuses, whereby Sulzer may recover in full or in part any relevant bonus 

compensation from Executive Committee members in situations of material misstatement of the 

financial results, an error in assessing a performance condition or gross misconduct of the participant.

Further information on share-based compensation can be found in 

note 32

 to the consolidated 

Financial Statements of Sulzer Ltd.

Contracts of employment

The employment contracts of the Executive Committee are of undetermined duration and have a 

notice period of a maximum of 12 months. Members of the Executive Committee are not entitled to 

any impermissible severance or change of control payments. The employment contracts of the 

Executive Committee may include non-competition agreements with a time limit of one year and with 

maximum total compensation of one annual target compensation.

Shareholding requirements

Shareholding requirements for members of the Executive Committee were introduced with effect from 

2020. According to these share ownership guidelines (SOG), the members of the Executive 

Committee are obliged to hold part of their shares until the end of their service period. The value of 

the shares to be held is set at 200% of the annual gross base salary for the CEO and 100% of the 

annual gross base salary for the other members of the Executive Committee.

Function

CEO

Other Executive 
Committee members

  Shareholding requirement in % of base salary

  200%

  100%

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85

Compensation of the Executive Committee for 2022

Compensation of the Executive Committee: overview

In the course of establishing the combined role of the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and the 

CEO, compensation for both roles was revised in autumn 2022. Three clear principles were followed 

by the Board of Directors in order to establish remuneration for the combined role:

Firstly, market practice was considered to ensure that the remuneration of the Chairwoman as 

well as the CEO function are in line with the revised benchmarks.

Secondly, the role of Chairwoman and the role of CEO are considered separately. Nevertheless, 

with the combined role, Suzanne Thoma participates in the Performance Share Plan as CEO 

only, but is not granted RSU as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors.

Thirdly, the combined remuneration for the Chairwoman and CEO roles were positioned to be 

below the average remuneration observed for the CEO role alone in recent years.

In 2022, the Executive Committee received total compensation in the amount of kCHF 

11’536 (previous year: kCHF 14’609). Of this total, kCHF 6’947 was in cash (previous year: kCHF 

8’027); kCHF 2’822 was in PSUs (previous year: kCHF 4’486); kCHF 1’649 was in pension and social 

security contributions (previous year: kCHF 1’938), and kCHF 118 was in other payments (previous 

year: kCHF 158).

Compensation of the Executive Committee

Cash compensation

thousands of CHF

Base salary  

Bonus 2)  

Other 3)  

Pension and 
social security 
contributions 4)  

Total cash-
based 

compensation  

2022

Deferred compensation 
based on future performance

Estimated 
value of 
share-based 
grant under 
the 
performance 
share plan 
(PSP) 5)  

Total (incl. 
conditional 
share-based 
grant)

8  

0  

349  

1’853  

1’074  

2’927

118  

1’649  

61  

361  

8’714  

179  

540

2’822  

11’536

thereof highest single 
compensation, Frédéric Lalanne, 
CEO from February 18, 2022 to 
October 31, 2022

Suzanne Thoma, CEO since 
November 1, 2022

Total Executive Committee 1)

760  

736  

158  

3’767  

142  

3’180  

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Cash compensation

thousands of CHF

Base salary  

Bonus 2)  

Other 3)  

Pension and 
social security 
contributions 4)  

Total cash-
based 

compensation  

2021

Deferred compensation 
based on future performance

Estimated 
value of 
share-based 
grant under 
the 
performance 
share plan 
(PSP) 5)  

Total (incl. 
conditional 
share-based 
grant)

Highest single compensation, Greg 
Poux-Guillaume, CEO

Total Executive Committee

1’021  

3’931  

1’500  

4’096  

87  

158  

461  

3’069  

1’938  

10’123  

1’779  

4’486  

4’849

14’609

1) The total Executive Committee compensation for 2022 and 2021 includes the compensation of Frederic Lalanne, Division President Flow Equipment since January 2019 until February 

2022 and as CEO since February 2022 until October 2022; Suzanne Thoma, CEO since November 2022; Thomas Zickler, CFO since May 2022; Tim Schulten, Division President 
Services since January 2022; Torsten Wintergerste, Division President Chemtech since June 2016; Armand Sohet, Chief Human Resources Officer since March 2016; Greg Poux-
Guillaume, CEO since December 2015 until February 2022; Jill Lee, CFO since April 2018 until April 2022; Daniel Bischofberger, Division President Services since September 2016 until 
February 2022; Girts Cimermans, Division President Applicator Systems since October 21, 2019 until September 19, 2021.
2) Expected bonus for the performance years 2022 and 2021 respectively, to be paid out in the following year (accrual principle).
3) Other consists of schooling allowances, tax services and child allowances.
4)

Includes the employer contribution to social security (including the expected employer contributions on equity awards), based on the fair value of all grants made in 2022 and 2021, 
respectively (PSP).

5) Represents the full fair value of the PSUs granted under the PSP in 2022 and 2021, respectively. PSUs granted in 2022 had a fair value of CHF 84.69 at grant date, based on a third-

party fair value calculation. While the share price to convert the grant value into a number of granted PSUs is based on the three-month weighted average share price before the grant 
date (CHF 78.84 per PSU for April 2022 grants), the disclosed fair values are calculated on the grant dates by using market value approaches, which typically leads to differences 
between the original grant value according to the compensation architecture and the disclosed fair market values. Suzanne Thoma received a pro-rata grant of PSU in November 2022.

The total compensation of kCHF 11’536 awarded to the members of the Executive Committee for the 

2022 financial year is within the maximum aggregate compensation amount of kCHF 19’500 that was 

approved by the shareholders at the 2021 AGM.

No severance payments to members of the Executive Committee were made during the reporting 

year.

As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, there were no outstanding loans or credits 

granted to the members of the Executive Committee, former members of the Executive Committee or 

related parties.

In 2022, no compensation was granted to former members of the Executive Committee. In 2022,  no 

compensation was granted to any related parties.

Compensation for the Executive Committee: pay-for-
performance assessment

In the following, we elaborate further on how the relevant business performance impacted the variable 

compensation models of our Executive Committee. More detailed information about Sulzer’s 

operational and strategic performance in 2022 can be found in the financial report.

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a) Total compensation and pay for performance ratio

In 2022, the Executive Committee received total compensation in the amount of kCHF 

11’536 (previous year: kCHF 14’609). This was an overall decrease of 21.0% from the previous year. 

The decrease was mainly due to a reduction in Executive Committee members associated with the ad 

interim dual role of CEO and Division President Flow Equipment in 2022, as well as the post-spin-off 

departure of the Division President of Sulzer’s Applicator Systems division. In addition, the LTI target 

for the CEO decreased from kCHF 1’440 in previous years to kCHF 1’000 from 2022 onwards.

For the entire Executive Committee, the variable component amounted to between 43.7% and 

162.1% of the fixed component (base salary, other, pension and social security contributions). This 

pay-for-performance relation reflects Sulzer’s high-performance orientation. Further, it represents the 

company’s strong emphasis on aligning the interests of the Executive Committee and the 

shareholders to create long-term shareholder value and profitable growth. On a like-for-like basis 

(Executive Committee members employed in both 2022 and 2021), the base salaries of the Executive 

Committee members remained unchanged. Regarding cash bonus payments and LTI amounts, see 

the following paragraphs.

b) Short-term incentive (cash bonus payouts)

Despite the direct impact of the Polish sanctions, and the need to close down our operations in that 

country and our exit from Russia, the Board of Directors decided not to revise the financial targets 

during the year and to keep the budget at the same level. However, the Board of Directors kept the 

possibility of assessing the consolidated impact of the closure of sites in Poland and the withdrawal 

from Russia. This review was carried out in December and led to the following results: the impact of 

the situation affected sales by 2.6% and profitability by 6.9%.

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The RC decided to make an adjustment to the bonus, which affects 5’000 employees in the company. 

This adjustment neutralizes the effect of lost volumes and costs incurred in winding down the 

businesses in Russia while engaging in negotiations to sell the businesses and of the reduced sales 

and costs incurred of relocating production from Poland to other sites. Overall, the adjustment led to 

an increase in target achievement of financial performance indicators of 18% and raised the initial 

payout from 81% to 99%. The Board of Directors is of the opinion that the Executive Committee and 

the whole business made best efforts to handle the situation in Poland and Russia and should not be 

held accountable for the resulting bonus decrease. The developments were neither foreseeable nor 

influenceable by the members of the Executive Committee.

The financial component of the bonus for 2022 ranged from 86.1% to 135.4% of targeted payout (on 

average 101.1%), thanks also to a high level of achievement of individual objectives. The financial 

performance on group level was as follows:

KPI

Sales

Operational profitability

Operational ONCF

Total

Weighting

Payout factor

25%

25%

20%

70%

112%

147%

24%

99%

The individual performance ranged from 100% to 158% to consider the exceptional team 

performance.

In aggregate, the financial and individual performance translated into an overall bonus payout factor 

ranging from 99.3% to 124.8% (on average 109.7%) for the members of the Executive Committee.

c) Long-term incentive (PSP)

We are convinced that the conditional awards to receive Sulzer shares, subject to operational return 

on average capital employed adjusted (operational ROCEA), operating income before restructuring, 

amortization, impairments and non-operational items (operational profit) growth and relative total 

shareholder return (TSR) performance, as well as ongoing employment through the three-year vesting 

period:

constitutes a very attractive element of variable long-term remuneration for our key management;

supports and underlines the company’s focus on excellent, sustainable performance;

and provides for a strong alignment of interests with shareholders – also in the longer term.

The PSP framework (apart from the specific performance targets for each grant cycle), eligibility and 

grant entitlement remained unchanged in 2022 compared to previous years. The relevant key 

performance indicators (KPIs) were operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments 

and non-operational items (operational profit growth), operational return on average capital employed 

adjusted (operational ROCEA) and relative total shareholder return (TSR) over the three-year 

measurement period from 2020 to 2022.

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Over this three-year period, operational profit adjusted for foreign exchange and M&A impacts grew 

by 34% even as we had to navigate unexpected and challenging impacts from COVID-19 in 2021 and 

the war in Ukraine in 2022. Compared to the PSP target set by the Board of Directors, this resulted in 

an achievement factor of 250%.

Operational ROCEA has continued to improve from an already high level over the past three years, 

thanks to our determined drive for operational excellence, strict management of capital expenditures 

and efforts to optimize our footprint. For the maximum 250% target achievement of operational 

ROCEA, the Board of Directors considered the unknown effects of COVID-19 and allowed a decline of 

30 bps over the course of the PSP 2020 measurement period to a still comparatively high level of 

21.7%. An actual achievement of 250% was realized.

Together with a relative TSR achievement factor of 138%, which compared Sulzer’s share price 

development against international peers as well as against the SMIM over the PSP 2020 

measurement period, the resultant total payout factor is 194% for the PSP 2020.

The payout factor results and respective weighting are as follows:

KPI

Operational profit

Operational ROCEA

Relative TSR

Total

Weighting

Payout factor

25%

25%

50%

100%

250%

250%

138%

194%

Overall, the PSP vesting levels fairly reflected the operational performance, also against direct peers, 

over the respective three-year performance cycles, especially in light of the exceptional external 

influences which have been successfully mitigated. Therefore, Sulzer fully achieved the desired strong 

link between sustainable company performance and competitive long-term incentive payouts.

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Shareholdings of the Executive Committee

As of the end of 2020, 2021 and 2022, the members of the Executive Committee held the following 

shares in the company:

Shareholdings at December 31, 2022

  Sulzer shares  

Share units under vesting in equity plan

  Sulzer shares  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2020  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2021  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2022

2022

Executive Committee

32’723  

16’827  

12’412  

20’640

Suzanne Thoma

Thomas Zickler

Armand Sohet

Tim Schulten

744  

1’513  

6’791  

-  

-  

1’273  

7’777  

-  

Torsten Wintergerste

23’675  

7’777  

Shareholdings at December 31, 2021

-  

1’212  

4’994  

1’212  

4’994  

2’120

5’074

4’186

5’074

4’186

2021

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Frederic Lalanne

Jill Lee

Armand Sohet

Torsten Wintergerste

  Sulzer shares  

Share units under vesting in equity plans (RSU and 
PSP)

  Sulzer shares  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2019  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2020  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2021

77’941  

43’000  

9’720  

6’797  

5’084  

2’728  

10’612  

81’932  

35’746  

9’932  

9’932  

9’932  

8’195  

8’195  

94’735  

50’900  

9’427  

9’427  

9’427  

7’777  

7’777  

49’936

21’789

6’053

6’053

6’053

4’994

4’994

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation architecture for the Board of Directors

91

Compensation architecture for the Board of 
Directors

The compensation of the Board of Directors is fixed and does not contain any performance-based 

variable component. This ensures that the Board of Directors is truly independent in fulfilling its 

supervisory duties towards the Executive Committee.

The compensation of the Board of Directors is governed by a compensation regulation, is reviewed by 

the Remuneration Committee (RC) annually and, if necessary, adjusted by a decision of the full Board 

of Directors based on a proposal by the RC.

The compensation of the Board of Directors consists of a fixed cash component and a restricted 

share unit (RSU) component with a fixed grant value. Each RSU represents a right to receive a Sulzer 

share free of charge after a certain period, as further detailed below. Further, Board members are 

entitled to a lump sum to cover business expenses. The RSU component strengthens the long-term 

alignment of the interests of the Board members with those of the shareholders. To reinforce the 

focus of the Board of Directors on the long-term strategy and to strengthen its independence from the 

Executive Committee, the compensation of the Board of Directors contains no performance-related 

elements and Board members are not entitled to pension benefits.

The amount of compensation for the Chairwoman and for the other members of the Board of 

Directors is determined based on the relevant compensation benchmarks. The compensation reflects 

the responsibility and complexity of their respective function, the professional and personal 

requirements placed on them, and the expected time required to fulfill their duties. The ongoing Board 

compensation structure and amounts are described in the table below:

Annual compensation of the Board of Directors 1)

in CHF

Base fee for Board Chairperson 2)

Base fee for Board Vice Chairperson

Base fee for Board members

Additional committee fees:

Audit Committee / Strategy and Sustainability 
Committee Chairperson

Audit Committee / Strategy and Sustainability 
Committee members

Nomination / Remuneration Committee Chairperson

Nomination / Remuneration Committee members

Cash component (net 
of social security 
contributions)  

Grant value of RSUs 
(net of social security 

contributions)   Lump-sum expenses

250’000  

155’000  

125’000  

10’000

5’000

5’000

420’000  

100’000  

70’000  

60’000  

35’000  

20’000  

20’000  

1) Compensation for the period of service (from AGM to AGM).
2) The Chairperson of the Board of Directors does not receive additional remuneration for committee activities.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation architecture for the Board of Directors

92

The members of the Board of Directors are remunerated for their service during their term of office 

(from AGM to AGM). The cash remuneration is paid in quarterly installments for Board members and 

monthly installments for the Chairperson; the expense lump sum is paid out in December and the 

RSUs are granted once a year. The number of RSUs is determined by dividing the fixed grant value by 

the volume-weighted average share price of the last ten trading days before the grant date, which lies 

between the date of the publication of the annual results and the AGM. One-third of the RSUs vest 

after the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date respectively.

Upon vesting, one vested RSU is converted into one share in the company. The vesting period for 

RSUs granted to the members of the Board of Directors ends no later than on the date on which the 

member steps down from the Board. Although the value of the RSU grant is fixed (at grant), it then 

fluctuates with the share price during the vesting period, which means that the value at vesting can 

differ from the value at grant.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2022

93

Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2022

Compensation of the Board of Directors: overview

In 2022, the Board of Directors received total compensation in the amount of kCHF 2’340 (previous 

year: kCHF 2’862). Of this total, kCHF 1’152 was in the form of cash fees (previous year: kCHF 1’444); 

kCHF 905 was in RSUs (previous year: kCHF 1’155) and kCHF 283 was in the form of social security 

contributions (previous year: kCHF 263).

The total Board compensation paid in 2022 was 18.3% lower than in 2021, which is due to the 

reduced size of the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, the aggregated Board compensation was still 

below the maximum aggregate compensation for the Board, which was approved at the AGM 2021. 

The structure and level of the Board compensation remained unchanged compared with the previous 

year.

The portion of compensation delivered in RSUs amounts to 70% of the cash compensation for the 

Chairwoman, and to between 70% and 133% for the other active members of the Board of Directors. 

The RSUs are subject to a staged three-year vesting period.

Compensation of the Board of Directors

thousands of CHF

Board of Directors

Suzanne Thoma, Chairwoman

Matthias Bichsel, Vice Chairman

Alexey Moskov

David Metzger

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen
Markus Kammüller 1)
Peter Löscher, former Chairman 2)
Gerhard Roiss 2)
Mikhail Lifshitz 2)

Restricted 
share unit 
(RSUs) plan 4)  
905  

Social security 
contributions 5)  
283  

Cash fees 3)  
1’152  

358  
134  
94  
131  
169  
94  
105  
41  
26  

250  
155  
125  
125  
125  
125  
-  
-  
-  

84  
33  
32  
37  
42  
31  
15  
5  
4  

2022

Total

2’340

692

322

251

293

336

250

120

46

30

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2022

thousands of CHF

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher, Chairman

Suzanne Thoma, Vice Chairwoman

Matthias Bichsel

Lukas Braunschweiler

Mikhail Lifshitz

David Metzger

Alexey Moskov

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Restricted 
share unit 
(RSUs) plan  
1’155  

Social security 

contributions  
263  

Cash fees  
1’444  

447  
136  
138  
28  
112  
84  
112  
37  
173  
176  

250  
155  
125  
-  
125  
125  
125  
-  
125  
125  

66  
32  
24  
3  
27  
25  
27  
4  
26  
31  

94

2021

Total

2’862

763

323

286

31

264

234

264

41

324

332

1) Member of the Board of Directors since April 6, 2022.
2) Member of the Board of Directors until April 6, 2022.
3) Disclosed gross.
4) RSU awards granted in 2022 had a fair value of CHF 77.8203 at grant date. The amount represents the full fair value of grants made in 2022. Suzanne Thoma will not receive RSU 

while participating in PSP as CEO.

5) The amount includes mandatory social security contributions on the cash fees and estimated contributions on the RSU (based on their fair value at grant) and includes both the 

employer and employee contributions paid by the company on behalf of the Board members.

At the 2022 and 2021 AGMs respectively, shareholders approved a maximum aggregate 

compensation amount of kCHF 2’984 for the Board of Directors. The table below shows the 

reconciliation between the compensation that was/will be paid out for the two periods of office and 

the maximum aggregate compensation amounts approved by the shareholders.

Reconciliation between the reported Board compensation and the amount 
approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Compensation 
earned during 
financial year 
as reported 
(A)

Minus 
compensation 
earned from 
Jan to AGM 
of financial 
year (B)

Plus 
compensation 
accrued from 
Jan to AGM 
of year 
following 
financial year 
(C)

Total 
compensation 
earned for the 
period from 
AGM to AGM 
(A-B+C)

Amount 
approved by 
shareholders 
at respective 

AGM  

Ratio 
between 
compensation 
earned for the 
period from 
AGM to AGM 
versus 
amount 
approved by 
shareholders

Jan 1, 2022 to 

Jan 1, 2023 to 

2022 AGM to 

2022  

2022 AGM  

2023 AGM  

2023 AGM  

2022 AGM  

2022 AGM

2’340  

388  

307  

2’259  

2’984  

75.7%

Jan 1, 2021 to 

Jan 1, 2022 to 

2021 AGM to 

2021  

2021 AGM  

2022 AGM  

2022 AGM  

2021 AGM  

2021 AGM

2’862  

386  

393  

2’869  

2’984  

96.2%

thousands of CHF

AGM 2022–AGM 2023

Board (total)

AGM 2021–AGM 2022

Board (total)

As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, there were no outstanding loans or credits 

granted to the members of the Board of Directors, former members of the Board of Directors or 

related parties. 

In 2021 and 2022, no compensation was granted to former members of the Board of Directors or 

related parties.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2022

95

Shareholdings of the Board of Directors

As of the end of 2022 and 2021, the members of the Board of Directors held the following shares in 

the company:

Shareholdings at December 31, 2022

Board of Directors

Suzanne Thoma

Matthias Bichsel

Alexey Moskov

David Metzger

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Markus Kammüller

Shareholdings at December 31, 2021

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher

Suzanne Thoma

Matthias Bichsel

Mikhail Lifshitz

David Metzger

Alexey Moskov

Gerhard Roiss

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Sulzer shares  

23’434  

744  

12’600  

2’217  

600  

7’273  

0  

Sulzer shares  

55’307  

22’238  

0  

9’976  

6’182  

0  

639  

14’413  

1’859  

Restricted share units 

(RSU)  

21’095  

4’701  

4’406  

3’786  

2’808  

3’786  

1’608  

Restricted share units 

(RSU)  

34’874  

8’818  

2’232  

5’038  

4’410  

1’800  

3’756  

4’410  

4’410  

2022

Total share awards and 
shares

44’529

5’445

17’006

6’003

3’408

11’059

1’608

2021

Total share awards and 
shares

90’181

31’056

2’232

15’014

10’592

1’800

4’395

18’823

6’269

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Auditor’s report

96

Report on the Audit of the Compensation Report

Opinion

We have audited the compensation report of Sulzer Ltd (the Company) for the year ended December 

31, 2022. The audit was limited to the information on remuneration, loans and advances pursuant to 

Art. 14-16 of the Ordinance against Excessive Remuneration in Stock Exchange Listed Companies 

(Verordnung gegen übermässige Vergütungen bei börsenkotierten Aktiengesellschaften, VegüV) 

contained in the sections “

Compensation of the Executive Committee: overview

” and “

Compensation 

of the Board of Directors: overview

” of the compensation report.

In our opinion, the information on remuneration, loans and advances in the enclosed compensation 

report complies with Swiss law and Art. 14-16 VegüV.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Standards on Auditing (SA-CH). Our 

responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the “Auditor’s 

Responsibilities for the Audit of the Compensation Report” section of our report. We are independent 

of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the Swiss 

audit profession, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 

requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 

for our opinion.

Other Information

The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 

information included in the annual report, but does not include the sections “Compensation of the 

Executive Committee: overview” and “Compensation of the Board of Directors: overview” in the 

compensation report, the consolidated financial statements, the standalone financial statements of 

the Company and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the compensation report does not cover the other information and we do not express 

any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the compensation report, our responsibility is to read the other 

information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the 

audited financial information in the compensation report, or our knowledge obtained in the audit or 

otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Auditor’s report

97

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 

other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Board of Directors’ Responsibilities for the Compensation Report

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of a compensation report in accordance with 

the provisions of Swiss law and the Company's articles of incorporation, and for such internal control 

as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of a compensation report 

that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The Board of Directors is also 

responsible for designing the remuneration system and defining individual remuneration packages.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Compensation Report

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the information on remuneration, 

loans and advances pursuant to Art. 14-16 VegüV is free from material misstatement, whether due to 

fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a 

high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Swiss law 

and SA-CH will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from 

fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 

expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this compensation 

report.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH, we exercise professional judgment and 

maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement in the compensation report, whether due 

to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 

evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 

detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 

as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 

of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 

opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other 

matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any 

significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Compensation report – Auditor’s report

98

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have 

complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them 

all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and 

where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

KPMG AG

Rolf Hauenstein

Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 16, 2023

Enclosure:

– Remuneration Report

Simon Niklaus

Licensed Audit Expert

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, CH-8036 Zurich
© 2023 KPMG AG, a Swiss corporation, is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent 
member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Financial 
reporting

99 Consolidated financial statements

100 Consolidated income statement
101 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
102 Consolidated balance sheet
103 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
105 Consolidated statement of cash flows
108 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
192 Auditor’s report
200 Supplementary information

208 Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

208 Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd
209 Income statement of Sulzer Ltd
210 Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd
211 Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd
218 Auditor’s report

 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated income statement

100

Consolidated income statement

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Continuing operations

Sales from continuing operations

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit from continuing operations

Selling and distribution expenses

General and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Net impairment loss on contract assets and trade accounts 
receivable

Other operating income / (expenses), net

Operating income (EBIT) from continuing operations

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Other financial income / (expenses), net

Share of profit / (loss) of associates

Income before income tax expenses from continuing 
operations

Income tax expenses

Net income from continuing operations

Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax

Net income

– thereof attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

– thereof attributable to non-controlling interests

Earnings per share (in CHF)

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Earnings per share from continuing operations (in CHF)

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

Notes  

3, 21  

11  

2  

12  

13  

13  

13  

18  

14  

5  

26  

26  

26  

26  

2022  

2021 1)

3’179.9  

–2’240.3  

939.6  

–317.0  

–363.0  

–66.4  

–39.9  

–42.1  

111.4  

9.7  

–27.3  

16.0  

–2.7  

107.0  

–79.0  

28.0  

–  

28.0  

28.6  

–0.6  

0.85  

0.83  

0.85  

0.83  

3’155.3

–2’208.4

946.9

–309.2

–358.8

–64.4

–10.8

18.1

221.8

10.4

–25.7

–6.4

–2.2

197.9

–57.2

140.7

1’278.3

1’418.9

1’416.7

2.2

41.93

41.28

4.10

4.03

1) Comparative information has been re-presented: Net impairment loss on contract assets and trade accounts receivable was previously included in selling and distribution expenses.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

101

Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Net income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income 
statement

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Currency translation differences

Total of items that may be reclassified subsequently to the 
income statement

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

Equity investments at FVOCI – net change in fair value, net of 
tax

Total of items that will not be reclassified to the income 
statement

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the period

- thereof attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

- thereof attributable to non-controlling interests

Notes  

30  

2, 10  

19  

2022  

28.0  

–7.5  

–60.3  

–67.8  

–75.5  

–11.0  

–86.5  

–154.3  

–126.2  

–125.5  

–0.7  

2021

1’418.9

–2.5

2.4

–0.1

88.7

0.6

89.3

89.2

1’508.1

1’505.8

2.3

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated balance sheet

102

Consolidated balance sheet

December 31

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Lease assets

Associates

Other non-current financial assets

Defined benefit assets

Non-current receivables

Deferred income tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Current income tax receivables

Advance payments to suppliers

Contract assets

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

Current financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets without disposal group

Assets of disposal group held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Reserves

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Non-current lease liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Non-current income tax liabilities

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Current borrowings

Current lease liabilities

Current income tax liabilities

Current provisions

Contract liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Other current and accrued liabilities

Total current liabilities without disposal group

Liabilities of disposal group held for sale

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Notes  

15  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
10  

14  

20  

21  
22  
23  
19  
24  

6  

25  

27  
17  
14  
14  
10  
28  

27  
17  
14  
28  
21  

29  

6  

2022  

676.9  
234.3  
360.5  
90.1  
41.8  
28.5  
1.3  
1.0  
149.9  
1’584.2  

522.4  
28.3  
64.4  
466.1  
585.5  
128.7  
14.0  
1’196.3  
3’005.6  

30.4  
3’036.0  

4’620.2  

0.3  
1’023.9  
1’024.3  

4.4  
1’028.6  

1’043.9  
67.2  
53.0  
2.7  
122.2  
58.2  
1.3  
1’348.6  

311.4  
22.4  
30.0  
155.9  
382.3  
440.8  
874.7  
2’217.5  

25.4  
2’242.9  

3’591.5  

4’620.2  

2021  

727.3  
276.5  
394.0  
89.2  
25.5  
18.0  
134.3  
5.3  
164.2  
1’834.2  

475.6  
26.7  
64.7  
409.3  
549.2  
118.7  
26.7  
1’505.4  
3’176.2  

–  
3’176.2  

5’010.4  

0.3  
1’273.5  
1’273.8  

5.5  
1’279.3  

1’164.6  
64.5  
84.1  
2.2  
180.0  
68.0  
5.4  
1’568.8  

345.5  
24.3  
40.2  
167.8  
324.5  
431.8  
828.1  
2’162.3  

–  
2’162.3  

3’731.1  

5’010.4  

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated statement of changes in equity

103

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

January 1 – December 31, 2022

millions of CHF

Notes  

Share 
capital  

Retained 
earnings  

Treasury 

shares  

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve  

Currency 
translation 
adjustment  

Non-
controlling 
interests  

Total  

Total 
equity

Attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Equity as of January 1, 2022

0.3  

1’967.7  

–51.0  

3.3  

–646.5  

1’273.8  

5.5  

1’279.3

Comprehensive income for the period:

Net income

28.6  

28.6  

–0.6  

- Cash flow hedges, net of tax

30  

–  

–  

- Remeasurements of defined benefit 
plans, net of tax

2,10  

–  

–75.5  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–11.0  

–  

–86.5  

–  

–57.9  

–0.4  

–  

0.4  

–0.7  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–27.6  

27.6  

–  

–19.5  

14.9  

–118.7  

–  

–  

–7.5  

–  

–7.5  

–  

28.0

–7.5

–  

–  

–  

–  

–75.5  

–  

–75.5

–  

–11.0  

–  

–11.0

–60.2  

–60.2  

–0.2  

–60.3

–7.5  

–60.2  

–154.1  

–0.2  

–154.3

–7.5  

–60.2  

–125.5  

–0.7  

–126.2

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–0.0  

–0.4  

–  

0.4  

–0.7  

–  

–19.5  

14.9  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.8  

0.5  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.4

0.5

0.4

–0.7

–

–19.5

14.9

0.3  

1’777.7  

–42.9  

–4.1  

–706.7  

1’024.3  

4.4  

1’028.6

–118.7  

–1.6  

–120.3

- Equity investments at FVOCI – net 
change in fair value, net of tax

19  

- Currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the 
period

Transactions with owners of the company:

Disposal of non-controlling interests 
without a change of control

Capital increase non-controlling interests

Contribution from medmix

Transaction costs

Allocation of treasury shares to share plan 
participants

Purchase of treasury shares

Share-based payments

Dividends

Equity as of December 31, 2022

4  

25  

25  

25  

32  

25  

25  

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated statement of changes in equity

104

January 1 – December 31, 2021

millions of CHF

Notes  

Share 
capital  

Retained 
earnings  

Treasury 

shares  

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve  

Currency 
translation 
adjustment  

Non-
controlling 
interests  

Total  

Total 
equity

Equity as of January 1, 2021

0.3  

2’083.8  

–38.3  

5.9  

–647.4  

1’404.3  

12.9  

1’417.2

Attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

1’416.7  

–  

88.7  

0.6  

–  

89.3  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

1’506.0  

–  

–  

–10.6  

–  

–  

–1’485.6  

–3.4  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–9.1  

9.1  

–  

–21.8  

21.9  

–135.4  

–  

–  

1’416.7  

2.2  

1’418.9

–  

–  

–  

2.3  

2.3  

–2.5  

88.7  

0.6  

2.3  

89.1  

–  

–  

–  

0.1  

0.1  

–2.5

88.7

0.6

2.4

89.2

–2.5  

–  

–  

–  

–2.5  

–2.5  

2.3  

1’505.8  

2.3  

1’508.1

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–1.4  

–11.9  

–5.4  

–17.3

–  

–  

–2.1  

–2.1

–  

–1’485.6  

–  

–1’485.6

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–3.4  

–  

–21.8  

21.9  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–3.4

–

–21.8

21.9

–135.4  

–2.1  

–137.4

0.3  

1’967.7  

–51.0  

3.3  

–646.5  

1’273.8  

5.5  

1’279.3

Comprehensive income for the period:

Net income

– Cash flow hedges, net of tax

– Remeasurements of defined benefit 
plans, net of tax

– Equity investments at FVOCI – net 
change in fair value

– Currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the 
period

Transactions with owners of the company:

Acquisition of non-controlling interests 
without a change of control

Derecognition of non-controlling interests

Spin-off Applicator Systems division

Transaction costs

Allocation of treasury shares to share plan 
participants

Purchase of treasury shares

Share-based payments

Dividends

Equity as of December 31, 2021

30  

10  

19  

4  

5  

25  

25  

32  

25  

25  

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated statement of cash flows

105

Consolidated statement of cash flows

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1

Net income

Gain on net assets derecognized - Spin-off Applicator Systems 
division

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Income tax expenses

Notes  

5  

Depreciation, amortization and impairments

15, 16, 17  

Income from disposals of tangible and intangible assets

Changes in inventories

Changes in advance payments to suppliers

Changes in contract assets

Changes in trade accounts receivable

Changes in contract liabilities

Changes in trade accounts payable

Changes in employee benefit plans

Changes in provisions

Changes in other net current assets

Other non-cash items

Interest received

Interest paid

Income tax paid

Total cash flow from operating activities

– thereof discontinued operations

Purchase of intangible assets

Sale of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Divestitures of subsidiaries, net of cash derecognized

Spin-off Applicator Systems division

Acquisitions of associates

Dividends from associates

Purchase of other non-current financial assets

Repayments of other non-current financial assets

Purchase of current financial assets

Repayments of current financial assets

Total cash flow from investing activities

– thereof discontinued operations

report.sulzer.com/ar22

15  

15  

16  

16  

4  

4  

5  

18  

18  

19  

19  

19  

19  

2022  

1’505.4  

28.0  

–  

–9.7  

27.3  

79.0  

159.3  

–5.5  

–59.8  

–0.4  

–60.3  

–82.4  

86.9  

34.4  

–7.6  

–14.0  

45.4  

0.2  

9.3  

–24.6  

–86.5  

119.2  

–  

–8.7  

0.0  

–61.2  

9.0  

–4.2  

3.2  

–  

–20.9  

0.1  

–6.7  

3.2  

–2.9  

1.2  

–87.8  

–  

2021

1’123.2

1’418.9

–1’255.1

–5.3

26.5

74.4

173.0

–2.7

–20.8

–9.5

–74.1

17.1

15.5

–28.0

–9.7

–1.4

89.3

9.5

5.2

–23.3

–83.7

315.9

49.0

–6.9

0.2

–79.2

8.7

–123.9

–1.2

–85.9

–6.9

0.5

–6.0

0.3

–0.2

732.7

432.3

9.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated statement of cash flows

106

Dividends paid to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

Purchase of treasury shares

Payments of lease liabilities

Divestiture (Acquisition) of non-controlling interests

Capital increase non-controlling interests

Proceeds from non-current borrowings

Repayments of non-current borrowings

Proceeds from current borrowings

Repayments of current borrowings

Total cash flow from financing activities

– thereof discontinued operations

Exchange gains / (losses) on cash and cash equivalents

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

25  

25  

17  

4  

27  

27  

27  

27  

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31

24  

Cash and cash equivalents classified as held for sale

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31 as per 
balance sheet

–80.6  

–1.6  

–19.5  

–32.1  

0.4  

0.5  

169.6  

0.0  

1’054.0  

–1’376.1  

–285.4  

–  

–26.4  

–280.5  

1’224.9  

–28.6  

1’196.3  

–91.9

–2.1

–21.8

–41.1

–17.3

–

0.0

–0.0

54.8

–263.1

–382.5

9.7

16.5

382.2

1’505.4

–

1’505.4

For the calculation of free cash flow (FCF), reference is made to the section “

Financial review

”.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

108

109

110

116

119

122

123

125

134

135

140

141

142

143

147

149

150

152

153

154

155

156

157

157

158

160

161

163

164

165

166

167

170

171

171

188

189

01 

General information

02 

Significant events and transactions during the reporting period

03 

Segment information

04 

05 

06 

07 

08 

Acquisitions and divestitures of subsidiaries and transactions with non-controlling interests

Discontinued Operations

Disposal group held for sale

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

Financial Risk Management

09 

Personnel expenses

10 

Employee benefit plans

11 

12 

13 

Research and development expenses

Other operating income and expenses

Financial income and expenses

14 

Income taxes

15 

16 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

17 

Leases

18 

Associates

19 

Other financial assets

20 

Inventories

21 

22 

23 

24 

Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers

Trade accounts receivable

Other accounts receivables and prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

25 

Equity

26 

Earnings per share

27 

Borrowings

28 

Provisions

29 

30 

Other current and accrued liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

31 

Contingent liabilities

32 

33 

Share participation plans

Transactions with members of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and related parties

34 

Auditor remuneration

35 

36 

Key accounting policies and valuation methods

Subsequent events after the balance sheet date

37

 Major subsidiaries

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

108

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1  General information

Sulzer Ltd (the “companyˮ) is a company domiciled in Switzerland. The address of the company’s 

registered office is Neuwiesenstrasse 15 in Winterthur, Switzerland. The consolidated financial 

statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, comprise the company and its subsidiaries 

(together referred to as the “groupˮ and individually as the “subsidiariesˮ) and the group’s interest in 

associates and joint ventures. The group specializes in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and 

purification technologies for fluids of all types. Sulzer was founded in 1834 in Winterthur, Switzerland, 

and employs around 12'900 people. The company serves clients in 180 production and service sites 

around the world. Sulzer Ltd is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich, Switzerland (symbol: SUN).

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS). They were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on February 16, 

2023.

Details of the group’s accounting policies are included in 

note 35
.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

109

2

Significant events and transactions during the reporting period

The financial position and performance of the group were particularly affected by the following events 

and transactions during the reporting period:

On April 6, 2022, Sulzer announced that it would significantly reduce its business in Russia, 

followed by an announcement on May 24, 2022, that it was initiating the process to sell four legal 

entities in Russia – AO Sulzer Pumps, Sulzer Chemtech, Sulzer Turbo Services Russia  and 

Sulzer Pumps Russia. The four legal entities were classified as a disposal group held for sale in 

June 2022, and upon classification as held for sale, impairments amounting to CHF 88.9 million 

were recorded on goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, inventory and 

other assets. As of December 31, 2022, the net impairment loss recorded on contract assets and 

trade accounts receivables included in the disposal group classified as held for sale amounts to 

CHF 37.4 million included in the total net impairment loss of CHF 39.9 million recorded for the 

group (2021: CHF 10.8 million). Deferred tax assets of CHF 5.1 million in connection with the 

Russian business were reversed. This impact was offset by a positive foreign exchange effect of 

CHF 21.0 million arising from movements of unhedged intercompany loans. Further details are 

provided in 

note 6

 and 

note 13

.

On May 19, 2022, the group announced its intention to wind down its business in Poland, which 

consists of two entities: Sulzer Turbo Services Poland and Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Poland. 

The group assessed that it no longer controls the two entities, which resulted in a loss from 

deconsolidation of CHF 6.2 million and wind down costs of CHF 1.0 million. Further details are 

provided in 

note 4

 and 

note 12

.

An asset ceiling of CHF 197.9 million was recorded on Swiss pension plans leading to a 

decrease in pension assets. The change in asset ceiling is the result of an increase in the 

discount rate and is reflected in other comprehensive income, net of the associated tax impact. 

Further details are provided in 

note 10

.

For a detailed discussion about the group’s performance and financial position, please refer to the 

section “

Financial review

”.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

110

3

Segment information

Segment information by divisions

millions of CHF

Order intake from continuing operations 
(unaudited) 1)

Nominal growth (unaudited)

Currency-adjusted growth (unaudited)
Organic growth (unaudited) 2)

Flow Equipment

2022  

2021  

Services

2022  

2021  

Chemtech
2022  

1’419.2  

1’324.7  

1’171.3  

1’163.4  

7.1%  
9.4%  
8.9%  

2.1%  
1.8%  
–3.9%  

0.7%  
1.8%  
1.6%  

2.9%  
2.8%  
2.0%  

834.9  

22.9%  
21.7%  
22.5%  

2021

679.5

9.5%

8.8%

8.8%

Order backlog as of December 31 (unaudited)

850.1  

811.5  

492.9  

479.5  

501.7  

433.2

Sales recognized at a point in time

Sales recognized over time
Sales from continuing operations 3)

Nominal growth

Currency-adjusted growth (unaudited)
Organic growth (unaudited) 2)

Operational profit from continuing operations 
(unaudited)

Operational profitability from continuing 
operations (unaudited)

Restructuring expenses

Amortization

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets

Non-operational items (unaudited)

EBIT from continuing operations

Depreciation

Operating assets

Unallocated assets

Total assets as of December 31

Operating liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities as of December 31

Operating net assets

Unallocated net assets

Total net assets as of December 31

843.4  
479.5  
1’323.0  

–4.8%  
–3.1%  
–3.4%  

993.5  
395.5  
1’389.0  

7.1%  
6.9%  
2.0%  

825.9  
291.1  
1’117.0  

–0.1%  
0.8%  
0.7%  

898.8  
219.0  
1’117.7  

3.7%  
3.5%  
2.7%  

357.5  
382.4  
739.9  

14.1%  
12.9%  
14.8%  

377.0

271.6

648.5

9.4%

8.4%

8.4%

87.4  

81.4  

159.0  

158.7  

80.0  

64.8

6.6%  

5.9%  

14.2%  

14.2%  

10.8%  

10.0%

0.3  
–26.7  
–8.0  
–20.4  
32.6  

–7.5  
–38.1  
–0.9  
0.1  
35.1  

–1.3  
–4.4  
–24.2  
–75.1  
54.0  

–0.6  
–4.9  
–2.8  
–2.3  
148.2  

0.8  
–6.9  
–12.3  
–23.4  
38.3  

–1.3

–6.7

–0.5

–2.7

53.6

–30.4  

–33.4  

–29.0  

–31.5  

–13.4  

–12.8

1’554.1  
–  
1’554.1  

1’573.9  
–  
1’573.9  

730.9  
–  
730.9  

823.2  
–  
823.2  

745.0  
–  
745.0  

829.0  
–  
829.0  

980.0  
–  
980.0  

456.4  
–  
456.4  

523.7  
–  
523.7  

939.5  
–  
939.5  

403.3  
–  
403.3  

536.2  
–  
536.2  

579.7  
–  
579.7  

439.8  
–  
439.8  

139.9  
–  
139.9  

552.8

–

552.8

404.0

–

404.0

148.7

–

148.7

Capital expenditure (incl. lease assets)

–37.9  

–33.9  

–42.0  

–57.1  

–16.8  

–20.7

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

1) Order intake from external customers.
2) Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects.
3) Sales from external customers.

5’263  

5’325  

4’559  

4’571  

2’852  

3’734

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

111

Order backlog as of December 31 (unaudited)

1’844.7  

1’724.1  

Segment information by divisions

millions of CHF

Order intake from continuing operations 
(unaudited) 1)

Nominal growth (unaudited)

Currency-adjusted growth (unaudited)
Organic growth (unaudited) 2)

Sales recognized at a point in time

Sales recognized over time
Sales from continuing operations 3)

Nominal growth

Currency-adjusted growth (unaudited)
Organic growth (unaudited) 2)

Operational profit from continuing operations 
(unaudited)

Operational profitability from continuing 
operations (unaudited)

Restructuring expenses

Amortization

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets

Non-operational items (unaudited)

EBIT from continuing operations

Depreciation

Operating assets

Unallocated assets

Total assets as of December 31

Operating liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities as of December 31

Operating net assets

Unallocated net assets

Total net assets as of December 31

Total divisions

2022  

2021  

Others 4)

2022  

2021  

Total Sulzer
2022  

2021

3’425.4  

3’167.6  

8.1%  
9.2%  
9.1%  

3.9%  
3.6%  
0.9%  

2’026.8  
1’153.1  
3’179.9  

0.8%  
1.6%  
1.8%  

2’269.3  
886.0  
3’155.3  

6.3%  
6.0%  
3.5%  

–  

–  
–  
–  

–  

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  

–  

–  
–  
–  

–  

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  

3’425.4  

3’167.6

8.1%  
9.2%  
9.1%  

3.9%

3.6%

0.9%

1’844.7  

1’724.1

2’026.8  
1’153.1  
3’179.9  

0.8%  
1.6%  
1.8%  

326.4  

304.9  

–8.8  

–11.6  

317.6  

10.3%  

9.7%  

n/a  

n/a  

10.0%  

–0.1  
–38.0  
–44.5  
–119.0  
124.8  

–9.4  
–49.6  
–4.2  
–4.8  
236.9  

0.0  
–0.8  
–  
–3.8  
–13.5  

–0.0  
–0.6  
–  
–2.9  
–15.0  

–0.1  
–38.8  
–44.5  
–122.8  
111.4  

–72.8  

–77.7  

–3.2  

–3.3  

–76.0  

–81.0

3’113.8  
–  
3’113.8  

1’627.0  
–  
1’627.0  

1’486.8  
–  
1’486.8  

3’066.2  
–  
3’066.2  

1’552.3  
–  
1’552.3  

1’513.9  
–  
1’513.9  

–47.5  
1’553.8  
1’506.4  

8.0  
1’956.5  
1’964.5  

–55.5  
–402.7  
–458.2  

180.3  
1’763.9  
1’944.3  

196.8  
1’982.0  
2’178.8  

–16.4  
–218.1  
–234.6  

3’066.3  
1’553.8  
4’620.2  

1’635.0  
1’956.5  
3’591.5  

1’431.4  
–402.7  
1’028.6  

3’246.5

1’763.9

5’010.4

1’749.1

1’982.0

3’731.1

1’497.5

–218.1

1’279.3

2’269.3

886.0

3’155.3

6.3%

6.0%

3.5%

293.3

9.3%

–9.5

–50.2

–4.2

–7.7

221.8

Capital expenditure (incl. lease assets)

–96.7  

–111.7  

–3.3  

–7.7  

–100.0  

–119.4

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

12’674  

13’631  

194  

185  

12’868  

13’816

1) Order intake from external customers.
2) Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects.
3) Sales from external customers.
4) The most significant activities under “Others” relate to Corporate Center.

For the definition of operational profit from continuing operations, operational profitability from 

continuing operations, currency-adjusted growth and organic growth, reference is made to the section 

“

Supplementary information

” and for the reconciliation statements to the section “

Financial review

”.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

112

Information about reportable segments

Operating segments are determined based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer that 

are used to measure performance, make strategic decisions and allocate resources to the segments. 

The business is managed on a divisional basis and the reported segments have been identified as 

follows:

Flow Equipment

The Flow Equipment division (renamed in 2021 from Pumps Equipment) specializes in pumping 

solutions specifically engineered for the processes of its customers. The division provides pumps, 

agitators, compressors, grinders, screens and filters developed through intensive research and 

development in fluid dynamics and advanced materials. The focus is on pumping solutions for water, 

oil and gas, power, chemicals and most industrial segments.

Services

The Services division (renamed in 2021 from Rotating Equipment Services) provides cutting-edge 

parts as well as maintenance and repair solutions for pumps, turbines, compressors, motors and 

generators, through a network of over 100 service sites around the world. The division services Sulzer 

original equipment, but also all associated third-party rotating equipment run by the customers, 

maximizing its sustainability and life-cycle cost-effectiveness. The division’s technology-based 

solutions, fast execution and expertise in complex maintenance projects are available at its 

customers’ doorsteps.

Chemtech

The Chemtech division focuses on innovative mass transfer, static mixing and polymer solutions for 

chemicals, petrochemicals, refining and LNG. Chemtech also provides ecological solutions such as 

bio-based chemicals, polymers and fuels, recycling technologies for textiles and plastic as well as 

carbon capture and utilization/storage, contributing to a circular and sustainable economy. The 

division’s product offering ranges from process components to complete process plants and 

technology licensing.

Others

Certain expenses related to the Corporate Center are not attributable to a particular segment and are 

reviewed as a whole across the group. Also included are the eliminations for operating assets and 

liabilities.

The Chief Executive Officer primarily uses operational profit to assess the performance of the 

operating segments. However, the Chief Executive Officer also receives information about the 

segments’ order intake and backlog, sales, and operating assets and liabilities on a monthly basis.

Sales from external customers reported to the Chief Executive Officer are measured in a manner 

consistent with that in the income statement. There are no significant sales between the segments. No 

individual customer represents a significant portion of the group’s sales.

Operating assets and liabilities are assets or liabilities related to the operating activities of an entity 

and contributing to the EBIT.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

113

Segment information by region

The allocation of assets is based on their geographical location. Non-current assets exclude deferred 

income tax assets, non-current receivables, defined benefit assets and other non-current financial 

assets. The allocation of sales from external customers is based on the location of the customer.

Non-current assets by region

millions of CHF

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

– thereof Switzerland

– thereof United Kingdom

– thereof Sweden

– thereof Finland

– thereof the Netherlands

Americas

– thereof USA

Asia-Pacific

– thereof China

Total

2022  

853.5  

220.5  

180.1  

125.7  

114.6  

84.6  

413.4  

376.6  

136.7  

52.4  

2021

941.9

201.5

203.0

162.2

109.0

100.8

425.9

390.3

144.6

53.6

1’403.6  

1’512.4

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

114

Sales by region

millions of CHF

Flow 

Equipment  

Services  

Chemtech  

2022

Total 
Sulzer

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

602.0  

439.9  

166.0  

1’207.9

– thereof United Kingdom

– thereof Germany

– thereof Saudi Arabia

– thereof France

– thereof Russia

Americas

– thereof USA

Asia-Pacific

– thereof China

Total

millions of CHF

36.3  

87.8  

66.3  

32.3  

31.2  

112.9  

43.1  

23.7  

31.3  

23.2  

15.7  

17.0  

20.3  

8.6  

14.0  

164.9

147.9

110.3

72.2

68.4

420.9  

525.5  

196.4  

1’142.8

223.6  

397.1  

141.3  

761.9

300.1  

151.6  

202.2  

28.3  

377.5  

254.6  

829.2

485.1

1’323.0  

1’117.0  

739.9  

3’179.9

Flow 

Equipment  

Services  

Chemtech  

2021

Total 
Sulzer

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

671.8  

485.6  

140.0  

1’297.5

25.7  

65.6  

118.7  

27.3  

34.2  

112.1  

55.7  

25.4  

30.8  

35.6  

5.3  

26.7  

15.2  

9.1  

15.9  

386.0  

473.5  

118.6  

236.0  

368.3  

63.0  

331.1  

158.6  

227.3  

30.7  

390.0  

265.8  

143.1

148.0

159.3

67.2

85.6

978.1

667.4

879.7

523.7

1’389.0  

1’117.7  

648.5  

3’155.3

– thereof United Kingdom

– thereof Germany

– thereof Saudi Arabia

– thereof France

– thereof Russia

Americas

– thereof USA

Asia-Pacific

– thereof China

Total

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

115

Segment information by market segment

The following table shows the allocation of sales from external customers by market segment. 

Sales by market segment – Flow Equipment

millions of CHF

Energy

Water

Industry

Total Flow Equipment

Sales by market segment – Services

millions of CHF

Pumps Services

Other Equipment

Total Services

Sales by market segment – Chemtech

millions of CHF

Chemicals

Gas and Refining

Services

Renewables

Water

Total Chemtech

2022  

453.4  

489.8  

379.7  

2021

507.9

497.0

384.1

1’323.0  

1’389.0

2022  

593.7  

523.4  

1’117.0  

2022  

398.4  

130.4  

108.5  

73.9  

28.6  

739.9  

2021

601.0

516.7

1’117.7

2021

366.4

128.1

96.7

38.3

19.1

648.5

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

116

4

Acquisitions and divestitures of subsidiaries and transactions 
with non-controlling interests 

Cash flow from acquisitions of subsidiaries 

millions of CHF

Cash consideration paid

Contingent consideration paid

Cash acquired

Total cash flow from acquisitions, net of cash acquired

2022  

–  

–4.2  

–  

–4.2  

2021

–138.4

–0.5

15.0

–123.9

No acquisitions of businesses were made in the year 2022, contingent consideration was paid in 2022 

for the GTC Technology US, LLC acquisition in 2019. 

Contingent consideration

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Assumed in a business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Payment of contingent consideration

Currency translation differences

Total contingent consideration as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

2022  

5.9  

–  

–  

–4.2  

0.2  

1.9  

–  

1.9  

2021

6.6

1.9

–2.2

–0.5

0.1

5.9

1.9

4.0

The outstanding contingent consideration relates to acquisitions in 2021. It is expected to be paid in 

2023. It is presented in other current liabilities. 

Acquisitions in 2021

The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at 

the date of acquisition, including the resulting goodwill and the total consideration paid. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

117

Net assets acquired

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Lease assets

Deferred income tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

Other current assets

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Deferred income tax liabilities

Other liabilities

Net identifiable assets

Goodwill recognized in balance sheet

Total consideration

Purchase price paid in cash

Contingent consideration

Total consideration

Divestitures in 2022

Nordic Water  

Others  

72.3  

1.2  

2.9  

0.1  

14.1  

7.3  

19.9  

–2.9  

–1.9  

–18.7  

–20.1  

74.3  

54.9  

129.2  

129.2  

–  

129.2  

7.4  

1.4  

1.5  

–  

0.9  

0.1  

1.3  

–1.4  

–0.2  

–1.0  

–0.4  

9.4  

1.7  

11.1  

9.2  

1.9  

11.1  

Total

79.7

2.5

4.4

0.1

15.0

7.4

21.2

–4.4

–2.1

–19.7

–20.5

83.6

56.6

140.2

138.4

1.9

140.2

In the first half of 2022, the group sold its 100% shareholding in the Brazilian subsidiary Sulzer 

Services Brasil, Triunfo. The disposal resulted in a loss of CHF 0.6 million, including a loss of 

CHF 1.0 million from the reclassification of currency translation differences into the income statement. 

The loss is recorded in other operating expenses. In the first half of 2022, the group announced its 

intention to wind down its business in Poland, comprising of the two subsidiaries Sulzer Turbo 

Services Poland and Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Poland. The group assessed that it no longer has 

control over the two subsidiaries and deconsolidated the Polish business at the end of the first half of 

2022. The investment retained was classified as investment in associates, the fair value of the 

investment retained at the date of the loss of control amounted to zero. The deconsolidation resulted 

in a loss of CHF 6.2 million and includes a loss of CHF 1.2 million from the reclassification of currency 

translation differences into the income statement. The loss is recorded in other operating expenses. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

118

Cash flow from divestments

millions of CHF

Cash consideration received

Cash disposed of

Total cash flow from divestitures, net of cash derecognized

Net assets derecognized

2022  

7.8  

–4.6  

3.2  

2021

1.6

–2.8

–1.2

The assets and liabilities derecognized during the year 2022 as part of the divestitures are reflected in 

the below table.

millions of CHF

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred income tax assets

Inventories and advance payments to suppliers

Trade accounts receivable

Contract assets

Other current receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current provisions

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

Other current liabilities

Net assets derecognized

Transactions with non-controlling interests 

millions of CHF

Carrying amount of non-controlling interests acquired (disposed)

Consideration received (paid) for non-controlling interests in cash

Increase (Decrease) in equity attributable to owners of Sulzer Ltd

2022  

–0.8  

0.4  

–0.4  

Total

2.5

0.2

2.0

9.0

0.6

1.9

4.7

–0.3

–2.6

–0.7

–4.8

12.5

2021

5.4

–17.3

–11.9

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

119

5

Discontinued operations

On September 20, 2021, at their Extraordinary General Meeting, Sulzer Ltd shareholders approved the 

100% spin-off of the Applicator Systems (APS) division (later renamed medmix) through a 1:1 share 

split, granting Sulzer shareholders one medmix share in addition to each Sulzer share held.

The group has separated the financial data for 2021 into “continuingˮ and “discontinuedˮ operations. 

Discontinued operations include the operational results from the Applicator Systems division, certain 

corporate activities attributable to the Applicator Systems division prior to the spin-off on 

September 20, 2021 and the gain on net assets derecognized as of September 20, 2021.

The Applicator System Division (now medmix) develops and delivers innovative products and services 

for liquid application and mixing solutions within the healthcare, adhesives and beauty markets 

through its well-known brands (Mixpac, Transcodent, Cox, medmix, Haselmeier and Geka).

Income statement of discontinued operations

millions of CHF

Sales

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit from discontinued operations

Selling and distribution expenses

General and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Net impairment loss on contract assets and trade accounts receivable

Other operating income / (expenses), net

Operating income (EBIT) from discontinued operations

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Other financial income / (expenses), net

Income before income tax expenses from discontinued operations

Income tax expenses

Net income from discontinued operations before gain on net assets 
derecognized

Gain on net assets derecognized

Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax

2022  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

2021 1)

337.9  

–201.5  

136.5  

–28.3  

–30.9  

–18.9  

–0.1  

–12.0  

46.2  

0.1  

–5.9  

–0.0  

40.3  

–17.1  

23.2  

1’255.1  

1’278.3  

1) The consolidated income statement amounts are for the period January 1, 2021, to September 20, 2021, the completion date of the spin-off. The 
information has been re-presented: Net impairment loss on contract assets and trade accounts receivable was previously included in selling and 
distribution expenses.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

120

Net assets derecognized

The following table presents the Applicator Systems division net assets at the date of spin-off on 

September 20, 2021.

millions of CHF

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Lease assets

Deferred income tax assets

Other non-current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable

Other current assets

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Non-current income tax liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Other liabilities

Net assets derecognized

Gain on net assets derecognized

millions of CHF

Net assets derecognized

Derecognition of distribution liability

Difference between net assets and distribution liability

Recognition of medmix Ltd shares

Currency translation differences recycled into the income statement

Cash flow hedges, net of tax recycled into the income statement

Gain on net assets derecognized

September 20, 2021

265.4

143.9

165.0

51.6

6.6

0.1

85.9

71.8

40.7

11.3

–439.8

–51.1

–13.7

–1.9

–24.1

–67.3

244.2

September 20, 2021

–244.2

1’485.6

1’241.4

21.9

–7.2

–1.1

1’255.1

Following the approval of the Sulzer Ltd shareholders to spin-off the Applicator Systems division 

through a 1:1 share split, the group recognized a distribution liability at fair value amounting to 

CHF 1’485.6 million. The distribution liability was recognized as a deduction to retained earnings and 

exceeded the carrying value of the Applicator Systems division of CHF 244.2 million by CHF 1’241.4 

million.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

121

At the time of the spin-off on September 20, 2021, the group held 498’736 treasury shares. Through 

the spin-off the group received 498’736 medmix Ltd shares, which were recognized at fair value 

based on the closing price at the first trading date on September 30, 2021. At initial recognition, the 

fair value of CHF 21.9 million was reported as a financial asset. Management has designated this 

investment at fair value through other comprehensive income (see 

note 19

).

The total non-taxable, non-cash gain recognized at the distribution date of the spin-off of the 

Applicator Systems division recorded in net income from discontinued operations, net of tax, 

amounted to CHF 1’255.1 million.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

122

6

Disposal group held for sale

The assets and liabilities of the disposal group held for sale are composed of the Russian business 

classified as held for sale. On May 24, 2022, the group announced its intention to exit the Russian 

market and initiated the search for potential buyers for the four legal entities in the country. The 

Russian business is comprised of four legal entities with operations in the reporting segments Flow 

Equipment, Services and Chemtech which includes two service centers and one production facility, 

and the assets and liabilities of these operations expected to be transferred as part of a sale have 

been classified as held for sale in June 2022. In February 2023, Sulzer signed an agreement to sell its 

business in Russia to a local third party. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals by the 

Russian Government Subcommission for Control over Foreign Investments and the Federal 

Antimonopoly Service (FAS).

With the classification as held for sale in June, the disposal group was measured at the lower fair 

value less costs to sell, resulting in the recognition of impairments amounting to CHF 88.9 million on 

that date, with CHF 32.2 million recorded in other operating expenses, CHF 38.8 million in costs of 

goods sold, CHF 15.7 million in general and administrative expenses and CHF 2.2 million in income 

tax expenses. The write-offs were mainly recorded on goodwill, other intangible assets, property, 

plant and equipment, lease assets, inventory and advance payments from customers. In addition, the 

group recognized net impairment losses on contract assets and trade accounts receivables related to 

the Russian business. These impairment losses amounted to CHF 37.4 million as of December 31, 

2022. Deferred tax assets in the amount of CHF 5.1 million were reversed as of year end 2022. 

Reference is made to 

note 12

 and 

note 20

 and the respective balance sheet notes.

The cumulative income recognized in other comprehensive income related to the disposal group 

amounts to CHF 11.8 million as of December 31, 2022, consisting entirely of items to be reclassified 

to the income statement at the date of the sale. The assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as 

of December 31, 2022, are presented in the table below.

millions of CHF

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

Total assets of disposal group held for sale

Non-current lease liabilities

Current lease liabilities

Current provisions

Trade accounts payable and contract liabilities

Other current and accrued liabilites

Total liabilities of disposal group held for sale

2022

28.6

1.8

30.4

0.3

0.2

0.3

15.8

8.9

25.4

While the cash and cash equivalents classified as held for sale can be used without restriction in the 

respective country, they are not available for general use by other entities within the group.

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123

7

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

All estimates and assessments are continually reviewed and are based on historical experience and 

other factors, including expectations regarding future events that appear reasonable under the given 

circumstances. The group makes estimates and assumptions that relate to the future. By their nature, 

these estimates will only rarely correspond to actual subsequent events. The estimates and 

assumptions that carry a significant risk, in the form of a substantial adjustment to the measurement 

of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are set out below.

Employee benefit plans

Assets, liabilities and costs for defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment plans are 

determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions. Assumptions used in determining 

the defined benefit assets/obligations include the discount rate, future salary and pension increases, 

and mortality rates. The assumptions are reviewed and reassessed at the end of each year based on 

observable market data, i.e., market yields of high-quality corporate bonds denominated in the 

corresponding currency and asset management studies. Further details are provided in 

note 10

 and 

note 35

.

Income taxes

The group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Assumptions are required in order to 

determine income tax provisions. There are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax 

determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of business. The group recognizes liabilities for 

anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Where the 

final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such 

differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such 

determination is made. Management believes that the estimates are reasonable, and that the 

recognized liabilities for income tax-related uncertainties are adequate. Further details are disclosed in 

note 14

.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

The group carries out an annual impairment test on goodwill in the first quarter of the year (after the 

budget and the three-year strategic plan have been approved by the Board of Directors in February), 

or when indications of a potential impairment exist. The recoverable amount from cash-generating 

units is measured on the basis of value-in-use calculations, with the terminal growth rate, the discount 

rate, and the projected cash flows as the main variables. Information about assumptions and 

estimation uncertainties that have significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment are disclosed in 

note 15

. The accounting policies are disclosed in 

note 35
.

Lease assets and lease liabilities

The group has applied judgment to determine the lease term for lease contracts that include renewal 

and termination options. The assessment of whether the group is reasonably certain to exercise such 

options impacts the lease term, which significantly affects the amount of lease liabilities and lease 

assets recognized. This assessment depends on economic incentives, such as removal and relocation 

costs. Further details are disclosed in 

note 17

 and 

note 35

.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

124

Sales

At contract inception, the group assesses the goods or services promised in a contract with a 

customer and identifies each promise to transfer to the customer as a performance obligation. The 

group considers the terms of the contract and all other relevant facts, including the economic 

substance of the transaction. Judgment is needed to determine whether there is a single performance 

obligation or multiple separate performance obligations. In typical engineering contracts, engineering, 

production and installation are treated as one single performance obligation.

If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount (e.g., expected liquidated 

damages, early payment discounts, volume discounts), the group estimates the amount of 

consideration to which the group will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or 

services to a customer. The amount of the variable consideration is estimated by using either of the 

following methods, depending on which method the group expects to better predict the amount of 

consideration to which it will be entitled: the expected value or the most likely amount. The method 

selected is applied consistently throughout the contract and to similar types of contracts when 

estimating the effect of uncertainty on the amount of variable consideration to which the group is 

entitled. Depending on the outcome of the respective transactions, actual payments may differ from 

these estimates.

To allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price 

basis, the group determines the stand-alone selling price at contract inception of the distinct good or 

service underlying each performance obligation in the contract and allocates the transaction price in 

proportion to those stand-alone selling prices. If the stand-alone selling price is not directly 

observable, then the group estimates the amount with the expected cost-plus-margin method.

The group recognizes sales either over time or at a point in time. Sales are recognized over time if any 

of the conditions described in 

note 35

 are met. The most critical estimate in determining whether 

sales should be recorded over time or at a point in time, is the existence of a right to payment. The 

group estimates if an enforceable right to payment (including reasonable profit margin) for 

performance to date exists in case the customer terminates the contract for convenience. For this 

estimate, the group reviews the contracts and considers relevant laws, legal precedents and 

customary business practice.

Applying the over time method requires the group to estimate the proportional sales and costs. To 

measure the stage of completion, generally, the cost-to-cost method is applied. Work progress of 

sub-suppliers is considered in determining the stage of completion. If circumstances arise that may 

change the original estimates of sales, costs or extent of progress toward completion, estimates are 

revised. These revisions may result in increases or decreases in estimated sales or costs and are 

reflected in income in the period in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision become 

known by management.

Further details are disclosed in 

note 21

 and 

note 35
.

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125

Provisions

Provisions are made, among other reasons, for warranties, disputes, litigation and restructuring. A 

provision is recognized in the balance sheet when the group has a legal or constructive obligation as a 

result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle 

the obligation. The nature of these costs is such that judgment has to be applied to estimate the 

timing and amount of cash outflows. Depending on the outcome of the respective transactions, actual 

payments may differ from these estimates. Further details are disclosed in 

note 28

 and 

note 35

.

8

Financial risk management

8.1 Financial risk factors

The group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange 

risk, interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk, and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The 

group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and 

seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the group’s financial performance. The group uses 

derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury). Group Treasury 

identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the group’s subsidiaries. 

Principles for overall risk management and policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange 

risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial 

instruments, and investment of excess liquidity exist in writing.

a) Market risk

(I) Foreign exchange risk
The group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various 

currency exposures. The group is exposed to transactional foreign currency risk to the extent that 

sales, purchases, license fees, borrowings and other balance sheet items are denominated in 

currencies other than the functional currencies of group companies. The functional currencies of 

group companies are primarily CHF, USD, EUR, CNY and INR. Management has set up a policy to 

require subsidiaries to manage their foreign exchange risk against their functional currency. The 

subsidiaries are required to hedge their major foreign exchange risk exposure using forward contracts 

or other standard instruments, usually transacted with Group Treasury. The group’s management 

policy is to apply the following hedge ratios:

Contractual FX exposure

90% to 100% of the exposure

Non-contractual FX exposure

100% of the forecasted exposure for the next 1–3 months

60% of the forecasted exposure for the next 4–6 months

40% of the forecasted exposure for the next 7–12 months

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

126

The group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk, most with a maturity of less 

than one year from the reporting date. The contracts are generally designated for hedge accounting 

as cash flow hedges. The group determines the existence of an economic relationship between the 

hedging instruments and the hedged item based on the currency, amount and timing of the respective 

cash flows. For hedges of foreign currency purchases, the group enters into hedge relationships 

where the critical terms of the hedging instrument match exactly with the terms of the hedged item. 

The group therefore performs a qualitative assessment of effectiveness. If changes in circumstances 

affect the terms of the hedged item such that the critical terms no longer match exactly with the 

critical terms of the hedging instrument, the group uses the hypothetical derivative method to assess 

effectiveness. In hedges of foreign currency purchases, ineffectiveness may arise if the timing of the 

forecast transaction changes from what was originally estimated.

External foreign exchange contracts are designated as hedges of foreign exchange risk on specific 

assets, liabilities or future transactions on a gross basis. The group has certain investments in foreign 

operations, whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. If required, currency 

exposure arising from the net assets of the group’s foreign operations is managed primarily through 

borrowings denominated in the relevant foreign currencies. Derivative financial instruments are only 

used on an ad hoc basis to manage foreign currency translation risk.

The following tables show the hypothetical influence on the income statement for 2022 and 2021 

related to foreign exchange risk of financial instruments. The volatility used for the calculation is the 

one-year historic volatility on December 31 for the relevant currency pair and year. For 2022, the 

currency pair with the most significant exposure and inherent risk was the EUR versus the RUB. If, on 

December 31, 2022, the EUR had increased by 54.5% against the RUB with all other variables held 

constant, profit after tax for the year would have been CHF 2.3 million higher due to foreign exchange 

gains on EUR-denominated financial assets. A decrease of the rate would have caused a loss of the 

same amount.

Hypothetical impact of foreign exchange risk on income statement

2022

  EUR/RUB   USD/BRL  

EUR/BRL   USD/BHD

5.9  

7.8  

–6.0  

7.8

54.5%  

18.9%  

19.1%  

10.0%

2.3  

–2.3  

1.1  

–1.1  

–0.8  

0.8  

0.6

–0.6

2021

  USD/BRL   USD/KRW  

EUR/INR  

USD/INR

7.2  

5.3  

16.8%  

6.4%  

0.9  

–0.9  

0.4  

–0.4  

–5.4  

5.8%  

–0.4  

0.4  

–5.7

4.8%

–0.4

0.4

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on profit after tax (rate increase)

Effect on profit after tax (rate decrease)

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on profit after tax (rate increase)

Effect on profit after tax (rate decrease)

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

127

The following tables show the hypothetical influence on equity for 2022 and 2021 related to foreign 

exchange risk of financial instruments for the most important currency pairs as of December 31 of the 

respective year. The volatility used for the calculation is the one-year historic volatility on 

December 31 for the relevant currency pair and year. Most of the hypothetical effect on equity is a 

result of fair value changes of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of future cash 

flows in foreign currencies.

Hypothetical impact of foreign exchange risk on equity

millions of CHF

2022

Currency pair

  GBP/USD  

EUR/USD   USD/MXN  

EUR/CHF  

USD/INR   GBP/EUR   USD/CHF

Exposure

Volatility

156.3  

47.6  

–42.7  

–57.9  

–46.9  

–28.7  

12.5%  

10.1%  

10.4%  

7.6%  

5.2%  

7.7%  

–22.9

9.4%

Effect on equity, net of taxes 
(rate increase)

Effect on equity, net of taxes 
(rate decrease)

14.3  

3.5  

–3.2  

–3.2  

–1.8  

–1.6  

–1.6

–14.3  

–3.5  

3.2  

3.2  

1.8  

1.6  

1.6

millions of CHF

2021

Currency pair

USD/BRL   GBP/USD  

EUR/USD   USD/CHF   USD/MXN  

USD/INR  

EUR/CHF

Exposure

Volatility

–35.3  

89.2  

52.6  

–40.7  

–23.8  

–40.1  

16.8%  

6.6%  

5.7%  

6.5%  

11.1%  

4.8%  

–45.2

3.9%

Effect on equity, net of taxes 
(rate increase)

Effect on equity, net of taxes 
(rate decrease)

–4.2  

4.2  

2.1  

–1.9  

–1.9  

–1.4  

–1.3

4.2  

–4.2  

–2.1  

1.9  

1.9  

1.4  

1.3

(II) Price risk
As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, the group was not exposed to significant price risk related to 

investments in equity securities.

(III) Interest rate sensitivity
The group’s interest rate risk arises from interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Financial assets and 

liabilities at variable rates expose the group to cash flow interest rate risk. The group analyzes its 

interest rate exposure on a net basis, and if required, enters into derivative instruments in order to 

keep the volatility of net interest income or expense limited. The group’s non-current interest-bearing 

liabilities mainly comprise bonds with a fixed interest rate.

The following table shows the hypothetical influence on the income statement for variable interest-

bearing assets net of liabilities at variable interest rates, assuming market interest rate levels would 

have increased/decreased by 100 basis points. For the most significant currencies, CHF, USD, EUR, 

CNY and INR, increasing interest rates would have had a positive impact on the income statement, 

since the value of variable interest-bearing assets (comprising mainly cash and cash equivalents) 

exceed the value of variable interest-bearing liabilities.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

128

Hypothetical impact of interest rate risk on income statement

millions of CHF

2022

Variable interest-bearing assets (net)

Amount

Sensitivity in 
basis points

Impact on post-tax profit

rate increase  

rate decrease

CHF

USD

EUR

CNY

INR

millions of CHF

Variable interest-bearing assets (net)

CHF

USD

CNY

EUR

GBP

417.2  

264.4  

181.3  

174.0  

29.8  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

3.0  

1.9  

1.3  

1.3  

0.2  

–3.0

–1.9

–1.3

–1.3

–0.2

2021

Amount

Sensitivity in 
basis points

Impact on post-tax profit

rate increase  

rate decrease

559.4  

319.3  

201.2  

175.1  

42.2  

100  

100  

100  

100  

100  

4.0  

2.3  

1.4  

1.3  

0.3  

–4.0

–2.3

–1.4

–1.3

–0.3

On December 31, 2022, if the interest rates on CHF-denominated assets net of liabilities had been 

100 basis points higher with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have 

been CHF 3.0 million higher, as a result of higher interest income on CHF-denominated assets. A 

decrease of interest rates on CHF-denominated assets net of liabilities would have caused a loss of 

the same amount. As of December 31, 2021, if the interest rates had been 100 basis points higher 

with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been CHF 4.0 million 

higher, as a result of higher interest income on CHF-denominated assets.

b) Credit risk

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments, deposits with 

financial institutions and credit exposures to customers, including outstanding receivables, contract 

assets and committed transactions. The maximum exposure to credit risk per class of financial asset 

is disclosed by carrying amounts in the fair value table. Equity instruments are not exposed to credit 

risks. The carrying amounts of financial assets and contract assets represent the maximum credit risk 

exposure.

Credit risks of banks and financial institutions are monitored and managed centrally. Generally, only 

independently rated parties with a strong credit rating are accepted, and the total volume of 

transactions is split among several banks to reduce the individual risk with one bank.

For every customer with a large order volume, an individual risk assessment of the credit quality of the 

customer is performed that considers independent ratings, financial position, past experience and 

other factors. Additionally, bank guarantees and letters of credit are requested. For more details on 

the credit risk of contract assets, please refer to 

note 21

, and on the credit risk of trade accounts 

receivable, please refer to 

note 22
.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

129

c) Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management includes the maintenance of sufficient cash and marketable 

securities, the availability of funding from an adequate number of committed credit facilities, and the 

ability to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, Group 

Treasury maintains flexibility in funding through a committed credit line.

Management anticipates the future development of the group’s liquidity reserve on the basis of 

expected cash flows by performing regular group-wide cash forecasts. In 2021, the existing 

syndicated credit facility of CHF 500 million was renewed for a duration of five years until 

December 31, 2026. The facility includes two one-year extension options and a further option to 

increase the credit facility by CHF 250 million (subject to lenders’ approval). In 2022, the group 

exercised the first of the two extension options, extending the term of the credit facility partially by 

one year to December 2027 (for CHF 85 million of the facility, the maturity date remains unchanged).

The following table analyzes the group’s financial liabilities in relevant maturity groupings based on 

the remaining period from the reporting to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the 

table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows translated at year-end closing rates, if not 

denominated in CHF. Borrowings include the notional amount and interest payments.

Trade accounts payable

440.8  

440.8  

–  

–  

Maturity profile of financial liabilities

millions of CHF

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Other current and non-current liabilities (excluding 
derivative liabilities)

Derivative liabilities

– thereof outflow

– thereof inflow

millions of CHF

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Carrying 
amount  

<1 year  

1–5 years  

>5 years  

2022

Total

1’355.3  

330.0  

1’080.6  

–  

1’410.6

89.6  

22.8  

48.2  

25.7  

432.5  

431.2  

7.0  

7.0  

604.7  

597.7  

0.1  

0.0  

9.9  

9.9  

–  

–  

–  

1.2  

432.5

Carrying 
amount  

<1 year  

1–5 years  

>5 years  

1’510.1  

359.6  

992.3  

201.7  

1’553.6

88.8  

24.8  

53.6  

20.7  

96.7

440.8

7.0

614.6

607.6

2021

Total

99.1

431.8

393.8

7.5

396.1

388.6

Trade accounts payable

431.8  

431.8  

–  

Other current and non-current liabilities (excluding 
derivative liabilities)

Derivative liabilities

– thereof outflow

– thereof inflow

393.8  

389.2  

7.5  

6.7  

394.6  

387.9  

4.6  

0.0  

0.7  

0.7  

–  

–  

0.8  

0.8  

–  

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

130

8.2 Capital risk management

The group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the group’s ability to continue as a 

going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to 

maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. In this respect, the group aims at 

maintaining an investment-grade credit rating, either as a perceived rating or an external rating issued 

by a credit rating agency.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the group may adjust the amount of dividends paid 

to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The following table shows the net debt/EBITDA ratio as of December 31, 2022, and 2021.

Net debt/EBITDA ratio

millions of CHF

2022  

2021

Cash and cash equivalents

Current financial assets

Non-current borrowings

Non-current lease liabilities

Current borrowings

Current lease liabilities

Net debt as of December 31

Operating income (EBIT) from continuing operations

Operating income (EBIT) from discontinued operations

Depreciation from continuing operations

Depreciation from discontinued operations

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets from continuing operations 1)

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets from discontinued operations

Amortization from continuing operations

Amortization from discontinued operations

EBITDA

Net debt

EBITDA

Net debt/EBITDA ratio

–1’196.3  

–14.0  

1’043.9  

–1’505.4

–26.7

1’164.6

67.2  

311.4  

22.4  

234.6  

111.4  

–  

76.0  

–  

44.5  

–  

38.8  

–  

270.7  

234.6  

270.7  

0.87  

64.5

345.5

24.3

66.8

221.8

46.2

81.0

20.5

4.2

0.5

50.2

16.6

441.0

66.8

441.0

0.15

1)

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets from continuing operations in 2022 include CHF 32.4 million impairments recorded in connection with the 
Russian business classified as held for sale, see Note 12.

Another important ratio for the group is the gearing ratio (borrowings-to-equity ratio), which is 

calculated as total borrowings and lease liabilities divided by equity attributable to shareholders of 

Sulzer Ltd.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

131

As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, the gearing ratio was as follows:

Gearing ratio (borrowings-to-equity ratio)

millions of CHF

Non-current borrowings

Non-current lease liabilities

Current borrowings

Current lease liabilities

Total borrowings and lease liabilities

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Gearing ratio (borrowings-to-equity ratio)

2022  

1’043.9  

67.2  

311.4  

22.4  

1’444.9  

1’024.3  

1.41  

2021

1’164.6

64.5

345.5

24.3

1’598.9

1’273.8

1.26

For the definition of net debt, EBITDA and gearing ratio, please refer to the section “

Supplementary 

information

”.

8.3 Fair value estimation

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities as 

of December 31, 2022, and 2021, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy. For financial assets 

and financial liabilities not measured at fair value in the balance sheet, fair value information is not 

provided if the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Fair values are categorized into three different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used 

in the valuation techniques as follows:

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets, including the outstanding bonds, is 

based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Such instruments are included in level 1.

The fair values included in level 2 are based on valuation techniques using observable market input 

data. This may include discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models or reference to other 

instruments that are substantially the same, while always making maximum use of market inputs and 

relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs. The fair values of forward contracts are measured 

based on broker quotes for foreign exchange rates and interest rates.

Fair values measured using unobservable inputs are categorized within level 3 of the fair value 

hierarchy. Level 3 instruments reflected in the below table comprises of non-current financial assets 

(at fair value through profit or loss) and contingent considerations. As of December 31, 2022, the non-

current financial assets (at fair value through profit or loss) categorized as level 3 instruments amount 

to CHF 22.6 million (2021: CHF 8.6 million). Unrealized fair value gains recorded in income from 

continuing operations in 2022 amount to CHF 7.6 million (2021: CHF 0.0 million). Contingent 

considerations are linked to the fulfillment of certain parameters, mainly related to earn-out clauses. 

For more information, please refer to 

note 4
.

Additional fair value measurements categorized within level 3 relate to intangible assets and property, 

plant and equipment and lease assets included in the Russian disposal group classified as held for 

sale, see 

note 6

 for further information. With the measurement at fair value less costs to sell, these 

assets were fully impaired resulting in unrealized losses in the amount of CHF 32.4 million. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

132

Fair value table

millions of CHF

  Notes  

Fair value 
hedging 
instruments  

Fair value 
through 
profit or 
loss  

Carrying amount

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
other 
comprehensive 
income – 
equity 
instruments  

Financial 
assets at 
amortized 
cost  

December 31, 2022

Fair value

Other 
financial 
liabilities  

Total 
carrying 
amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3  

Total fair 
value

19  
30  
23,30  

19  

22.8  

–  

0.1  
13.2  

1.5  

13.2  

24.4  

8.8  

8.8  

22.8  
0.1  
13.2  

0.2  
–  
–  

–  
0.1  
13.2  

22.6  
–  
–  

22.8

0.1

13.2

10.3  

10.3  

–  

–  

10.3

–  

–  

46.4  

10.5  

13.2  

22.6  

46.4

19  

22  

23  

19  
24  

5.6  

5.6  

0.9  
585.5  

23.4  

3.6  
1’196.3  

0.9  
585.5  

23.4  

3.6  
1’196.3  

–  

–  

–  

1’815.5  

–  

1’815.5  

30  
29, 30  
4  

0.0  
7.0  

7.0  

1.9  

1.9  

0.0  
7.0  
1.9  

8.9  

–  
–  
–  

–  

0.0  
7.0  
–  

–  
–  
1.9  

7.0  

1.9  

0.0

7.0

1.9

8.9

–  

–  

–  

27  

27  

27  

29  

1’043.9  

1’043.9   1’003.7  

–  

–  

1’003.7

288.5  

–  

–  

288.5

1.3  
289.9  

21.5  
440.8  

1.3  
289.9  

21.5  
440.8  

396.3  

396.3  

–  

–  

–  

–  

2’193.6  

2’193.6  

Financial assets measured at 
fair value

Other non-current financial 
assets (at fair value)

Derivative assets – non-current

Derivative assets – current

Current financial assets (at fair 
value)

Total financial assets 
measured at fair value

Financial assets not 
measured at fair value

Other non-current financial 
assets (at amortized cost)

Non-current receivables 
(excluding non-current 
derivative assets)

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables 
(excluding current derivative 
assets and other taxes)

Current financial assets (at 
amortized cost)

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets not 
measured at fair value

Financial liabilities measured 
at fair value

Derivative liabilities – non-
current

Derivative liabilities – current

Contingent considerations

Total financial liabilities 
measured at fair value

Financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value

Outstanding non-current bonds  
Other non-current liabilities 
(excluding non-current 
derivative liabilities)

Outstanding current bonds

Other current borrowings and 
bank loans

Trade accounts payable

Other current liabilities 
(excluding current derivative 
liabilities, other taxes and 
contingent considerations)

Total financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

133

Fair value table

millions of CHF

  Notes  

Fair value 
hedging 
instruments  

Fair value 
through 
profit or 
loss  

Carrying amount

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
other 
comprehensive 
income – 
equity 
instruments  

Financial 
assets at 
amortized 
cost  

December 31, 2021

Fair value

Other 
financial 
liabilities  

Total 
carrying 
amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3  

Total fair 
value

19  
30  
23,30  

19  

19  

22  

23  

19  
24  

8.9  

–  

0.7  
7.0  

2.0  

7.7  

10.9  

22.5  

22.5  

8.9  
0.7  
7.0  

0.3  
–  
–  

–  
0.7  
7.0  

8.6  
–  
–  

8.9

0.7

7.0

24.5  

24.5  

–  

–  

24.5

–  

–  

41.1  

24.8  

7.7  

8.6  

41.1

9.1  

9.1  

4.6  
549.2  

18.3  

2.2  
1’505.4  

4.6  
549.2  

18.3  

2.2  
1’505.4  

–  

–  

–  

2’088.8  

–  

2’088.8  

30  
29,30  
4  

0.8  
6.7  

7.5  

5.9  

5.9  

0.8  
6.7  
5.9  

–  

–  

–  

13.4  

–  
–  
–  

–  

0.8  
6.7  
–  

–  
–  
5.9  

0.8

6.7

5.9

7.5  

5.9  

13.4

27  
27  

27  

27  

29  

1’163.8  
0.8  

4.6  
325.0  

20.5  
431.8  

1’163.8   1’189.5  

–  

–  

1’189.5

0.8  

4.6  
325.0  

20.5  
431.8  

325.9  

–  

–  

325.9

–  

–  

–  

–  

2’297.3  

2’297.3  

350.9  

350.9  

Financial assets measured at 
fair value

Other non-current financial 
assets (at fair value)

Derivative assets – non-current

Derivative assets – current

Current financial assets (at fair 
value)

Total financial assets 
measured at fair value

Financial assets not 
measured at fair value

Other non-current financial 
assets (at amortized cost)

Non-current receivables 
(excluding non-current 
derivative assets)

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables 
(excluding current derivative 
assets and other taxes)

Current financial assets (at 
amortized cost)

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets not 
measured at fair value

Financial liabilities measured 
at fair value

Derivative liabilities – non-
current

Derivative liabilities – current

Contingent considerations

Total financial liabilities 
measured at fair value

Financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value

Outstanding non-current bonds  
Other non-current borrowings

Other non-current liabilities 
(excluding non-current 
derivative liabilities)

Outstanding current bonds

Other current borrowings and 
bank loans

Trade accounts payable

Other current liabilities 
(excluding current derivative 
liabilities, other taxes and 
contingent considerations)

Total financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

134

9

Personnel expenses

millions of CHF

Salaries and wages

Defined contribution plan expenses

Defined benefit plan expenses

Cost of share-based payment transactions

Social benefit costs

Other personnel costs

Total personnel expenses continuing operations

Personnel expenses discontinued operations

Total personnel expenses

2022  

793.2  

29.6  

15.7  

15.4  

112.3  

36.2  

1’002.4  

–  

1’002.4  

2021

792.9

32.3

16.9

20.8

117.4

37.9

1’018.1

91.4

1’109.5

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

135

10 Employee benefit plans

The defined benefit obligations for the active members of pension plans is the present value of 

accrued pension obligations at the reporting date considering future salary and pension increases as 

well as turnover rates (using the project unit credit method). The defined benefit assets/obligations for 

the retirees are the present value of the current and future pension benefits considering future pension 

increases.

Reconciliation of the amount recognized in the balance sheet as of December 31

millions of CHF

Present value of funded defined benefit 
obligation

Fair value of plan assets (funded plans)

Overfunding / (underfunding)

Present value of unfunded defined benefit 
obligation

Adjustment to asset ceiling

Net asset / (liability) recognized in the 
balance sheet

– thereof defined benefit obligations

– thereof defined benefit assets

Funded 
plans 

Switzerland  

Funded 
plans 
United 
Kingdom  

Funded 
plans USA  

Funded 
plans 
others  

Unfunded 

plans  

Total

2022

–716.8  

–355.3  

–53.7  

–78.3  

914.7  

197.9  

277.2  

–78.0  

43.5  

57.1  

–10.2  

–21.2  

–  

–  

–  

–1’204.0

1’292.5

88.5

–  

–197.9  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–11.5  

–11.5

–0.0  

–  

–197.9

–  

–  

–  

–78.0  

–10.2  

–21.2  

–11.5  

–121.0

–78.0  

–10.2  

–22.5  

–11.5  

–122.2

–  

–  

1.3  

–  

1.3

Funded 
plans 

Switzerland  

Funded 
plans 
United 
Kingdom  

Funded 
plans USA  

Funded 
plans 
others  

Unfunded 

plans  

Total

2021

millions of CHF

Present value of funded defined benefit 
obligation

Fair value of plan assets

1’025.8  

504.0  

50.6  

66.1  

Overfunding / (underfunding)

134.2  

–109.2  

–17.8  

–38.8  

–891.6  

–613.2  

–68.4  

–104.9  

–  

–  

–  

–1’678.1

1’646.6

–31.5

Present value of unfunded defined benefit 
obligation

Asset / (liability) recognized in the 
balance sheet

–  

–  

–  

–  

–14.1  

–14.1

134.2  

–109.2  

–17.8  

–38.8  

–14.1  

–45.7

– thereof defined benefit obligations

–  

–109.2  

–17.8  

–38.9  

–14.1  

–180.0

– thereof defined benefit assets

134.2  

–  

–  

0.1  

–  

134.3

The group operates major funded defined benefit pension plans in Switzerland, the UK and the USA. 

The main unfunded defined benefit plan is a German pension benefit plan. The plans are exposed to 

actuarial risks, e.g., longevity risk, currency risk and interest rate risk, and the funded plans 

additionally to market (investment) risk.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

136

In Switzerland, the group contributes to two pension plans funded via two different pension funds, i.e., 

a base plan for all employees and a supplementary plan for employees with salaries exceeding a 

certain limit. Both plans provide benefits depending on the pension savings at retirement. They 

include certain legal minimum interest credits to the pension savings (i.e. investment return) and 

guaranteed rates of conversion of pension savings into an annuity at retirement. In addition, the plans 

offer death in service and disability benefits. The two pension funds are collective funds administrating 

pension plans of group companies and also unrelated companies. In case of a material underfunding 

of the pension plans, the regulations include predefined steps, such as higher contributions by 

employer and employees or lower interest on pension savings, to eliminate the underfunding. The 

pension funds are legally separated from the group. The vast majority of the active participants in the 

two pension funds are employed by companies not belonging to the group. The Board of Trustees for 

the base plan comprises 10 employee representatives and 10 employer representatives. The discount 

rate in 2022 increased compared to 2021 (from 0.4% to 2.2% for active employees and from 0.3% to 

2.3% for pensioners), leading to an asset ceiling that reduced the defined benefit assets from 

CHF 134.2 million in 2021 to CHF 0.0 million in 2022. The change in effect of asset ceiling amounting 

to CHF 197.9 million is recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI). The total expenses recognized 

for these pension plans in the income statement in 2022 amounted to CHF 13.7 million (2021: 

CHF 16.6 million).

In the UK, the plan is a final salary plan and provides benefits linked to salary at closure to future 

accrual adjusted for inflation to retirement or earlier date of leaving service. The scheme is fully closed 

to new entrants and future accruals. The scheme is managed by nine trustees forming the Board. The 

plan is a multiemployer scheme with Sulzer (UK) Holding being the principal sponsor. The discount 

rate increased in 2022 by 2.9 percentage points to 4.9% (2021: 2.0%). The net pension liabilities 

decreased from CHF 109.2 million in 2021 to CHF 78.0 million in 2022 due to the higher discount rate 

and actuarial gains from changes in financial assumptions. In 2022, the total expenses recognized in 

the income statement amounted to CHF 2.8 million (2021: CHF 3.0 million).

In the USA, the group operates non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. The salaried plans 

provide benefits that are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation, averaged over 

the five highest consecutive years preceding retirement. The hourly plans’ benefits are based on years 

of service and a flat dollar benefit multiplier. All plans are closed to new entrants. In 2022, an expense 

of CHF 1.1 million was recognized in the income statement (2021: CHF 1.1 million). The discount rate 

increased in 2022 to 4.8% (2021: 2.5%). The amount recognized in other comprehensive income 

(OCI) in 2022 amounted to CHF 8.9 million (2021: CHF –1.0 million).

In Germany, the group operates a range of different defined benefit pension plans. The majority of 

these plans are unfunded and benefits are paid directly by the employer to the beneficiaries as they 

become due. All defined benefit plans are closed for new entrants and a new defined contribution 

plan for all employees was introduced in 2007. Existing employees who participated in the defined 

benefit plans continued to be eligible for these defined benefit pensions but also became eligible for 

the new defined contribution pensions. However, benefits received under the defined contribution 

plan are offset against the benefits under the defined benefit plans. The different defined benefit plans 

offer retirement pension, disability pension and survivor’s pension benefits.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

137

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

Reconciliation of effect of asset ceiling

Adjustment to asset ceiling at January 1

Change in effect of asset ceiling excl. interest income / (expenses)

Currency translation differences

Adjustment to asset ceiling at December 31

Reconciliation of net asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

Net asset / (liability) recognized at January 1

Defined benefit income / (expenses) recognized in the income statement

Defined benefit income / (expenses) recognized in OCI

Employer contributions

Divestitures of subsidiaries

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Currency translation differences

Net asset / (liability) recognized at December 31

Components of defined benefit income / (expenses) in the income 
statement

Current service costs (employer)

Interest expenses

Interest income on plan assets

Past service costs

Gains and (losses) on settlement

Other administrative costs

Income / (expenses) recognized in the income statement

– thereof charged to personnel expenses

– thereof charged to financial expenses

– thereof charged to net income from discontinued operations

Components of defined benefit gains / (losses) in OCI

Actuarial gains / (losses) on defined benefit obligation

Returns on plan assets excl. interest income

Changes in effect of asset ceiling excl. interest expenses / (income)

Returns on reimbursement right excl. interest income / (expenses)

Defined benefit gains / (losses) recognized in OCI 1)

1) The tax effect on defined benefit cost recognized in OCI amounted to CHF 15.4 million (2021: CHF -13.4 million).

2022  

2021

–  

–197.9  

–0.0  

–197.9  

–45.7  

–18.7  

–90.8  

24.8  

0.2  

–  

9.2  

–121.0  

–16.4  

–17.3  

14.5  

0.9  

1.3  

–1.5  

–18.7  

–15.7  

–2.9  

–  

366.3  

–259.4  

–197.9  

0.2  

–90.8  

–

–

–

–

–151.7

–24.1

102.2

29.0

–

1.4

–2.5

–45.7

–19.1

–12.9

9.7

–0.1

–

–1.7

–24.1

–16.9

–3.2

–4.0

16.6

84.9

–

0.7

102.2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

138

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

2022  

2021

Reconciliation of defined benefit obligation (funded and unfunded plans)

Defined benefit obligation as of January 1

–1’692.3  

–1’841.2

Interest expenses

Current service costs (employer)

Contributions by plan participants

Past service costs

Benefits paid / (deposited)

Gains and (losses) on settlement

Divestitures of subsidiaries

Other administrative costs

Actuarial gains / (losses)

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Currency translation differences

–17.3  

–16.4  

–7.5  

0.9  

104.4  

1.3  

0.2  

–1.5  

366.3  

–  

46.4  

–12.9

–19.1

–9.2

–0.1

99.3

–

–

–1.7

16.6

89.6

–13.6

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31

–1’215.6  

–1’692.3

Reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1

1’646.6  

1’689.5

Interest income on plan assets

Employer contributions

Contributions by plan participants

Benefits (paid) / deposited

Returns on plan assets excl. interest income

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Currency translation differences

Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

Total plan assets at fair value – quoted market price

Cash and cash equivalents

Equity instruments

Debt instruments

Real estate funds

Investment funds

Others

Total assets at fair value – quoted market price as of December 31

Total plan assets at fair value – non-quoted market price

Properties occupied by or used by third parties (real estate)

Others

Total assets at fair value – non-quoted market price as of December 31

14.5  

24.8  

7.5  

–104.4  

–259.4  

–  

–37.1  

1’292.5  

44.5  

237.8  

292.7  

33.0  

4.9  

80.6  

693.5  

270.0  

329.1  

599.0  

9.7

29.0

9.2

–99.3

84.9

–88.2

11.8

1’646.6

82.1

569.9

392.3

33.2

4.6

126.3

1’208.5

264.7

173.4

438.1

Best estimate of contributions for upcoming financial year

Contributions by the employer

23.9  

23.3

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

139

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

2022  

2021

Components of defined benefit obligation, split

Defined benefit obligation for active members

Defined benefit obligation for pensioners

Defined benefit obligation for deferred members

Total defined benefit obligation as of December 31

Components of actuarial gains / (losses) on obligations

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gains / (losses) arising from experience adjustments

Total actuarial gains / (losses) on defined benefit obligation

–211.4  

–801.4  

–202.7  

–1’215.6  

384.1  

4.0  

–21.8  

366.3  

–275.3

–1’024.9

–392.0

–1’692.3

22.0

1.7

–7.1

16.6

Maturity profile of defined benefit obligation

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation in years

10.4  

13.2

The defined benefit obligations for the Swiss and UK pension plans represent 88% (2021: 89%) of the 

group. The following significant actuarial assumptions were used for these two countries:

Principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31

Discount rate for active employees

Discount rate for pensioners

Future salary increases

Future pension increases

2022  

2021

Funded plans 

Switzerland  

Funded plans 
United Kingdom  

Funded plans 

Switzerland  

Funded plans 
United Kingdom

2.2%  

2.3%  

1.5%  

0.0%  

4.9%  

4.9%  

0.0%  

2.7%  

0.4%  

0.3%  

1.0%  

0.0%  

2.0%

2.0%

0.0%

3.2%

Life expectancy at retirement age (male / female) in 
years

22/24  

22/24  

22/24  

22/24

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

140

Sensitivity analysis of defined benefit obligations

millions of CHF

Discount rate (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

Discount rate (increase 0.25 percentage points)

Future salary growth (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

Future salary growth (increase 0.25 percentage points)

Life expectancy (decrease 1 year)

Life expectancy (increase 1 year)

2022  

–33.7  

26.5  

0.6  

–6.5  

15.2  

–15.1  

2021

–53.5

59.1

7.9

–0.5

104.5

–95.8

Negative amounts in the above table indicate an increase in defined benefit obligations, positive 

amounts indicate a decrease in defined benefit obligations. The sensitivity analysis is based on 

reasonably possible changes of the significant actuarial assumptions as of year end. The sensitivities 

provided are based on the change in one assumption while holding the other assumptions 

unchanged, interdependencies were not considered. 

11 Research and development expenses

A breakdown of the research and development expenses per division is shown in the table below:

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Total

2022  

36.7  

1.8  

27.8  

66.4  

2021

39.6

1.3

23.4

64.4

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

141

12 Other operating income and expenses

millions of CHF

Gain from sale of property, plant and equipment

Operating currency exchange gains, net

Other operating income

Total other operating income

Restructuring expenses

Impairments on tangible and intangible assets

Cost for mergers and acquisitions

Loss from sale of property, plant and equipment

Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Operating currency exchange losses, net

Total other operating expenses

Total other operating income / (expenses), net

2022  

5.5  

–  

19.2  

24.7  

–0.1  

–44.5  

–1.5  

–0.0  

–6.7  

–13.9  

–66.7  

–42.1  

2021

1.7

5.1

27.8

34.6

–9.5

–4.2

–2.7

–0.2

–

–

–16.5

18.1

Other operating income includes income from litigation cases, government grants and incentives, and 

recharges to third parties not qualifying as sales to customers. In 2022, other operating income 

included income from charges to the discontinued operation Applicator Systems division (later 

renamed medmix) for corporate support functions and centrally procured indirect spend utilized by 

medmix of CHF 9.8 million (2021: CHF 11.5 million).

The loss from deconsolidation of subsidiaries includes a loss of CHF 6.2 million resulting from the 

deconsolidation of two subsidiaries in Poland and a loss of CHF 0.6 million from the disposal of a 

subsidiary in Brazil (see 

note 4

).

The group recognized impairments of CHF 44.5 million (2021: CHF 4.2 million). Impairments of CHF 

12.1 million (2021: CHF 4.2 million) were recorded based on performed impairment tests on 

production machines and facilities as well as lease assets. Impairments of CHF 32.4 million on 

goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and lease assets were recorded in 

connection with the classification of the business in Russia as held for sale and the write-down to fair 

value less costs to sell (see 

note 6

).

In 2022, the group recognized restructuring costs of CHF 1.8 million, partially offset with the release of 

restructuring provisions of CHF 1.7 million. Restructuring costs mainly related to resizing activities in 

Indonesia. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

142

13

Financial income and expenses

millions of CHF

Interest and securities income

Interest income on employee benefit plans

Total interest and securities income

Interest expenses on borrowings and lease liabilities

Interest expenses on employee benefit plans

Total interest expenses

Total interest income / (expenses), net

Fair value changes

Other financial expenses

Currency exchange gains / (losses), net

Total other financial income / (expenses), net

Total financial income / (expenses), net

- thereof fair value changes on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

- thereof interest income on financial assets at amortized costs

- thereof other financial expenses

- thereof currency exchange gains / (losses), net

- thereof interest expenses on borrowings

- thereof interest expenses on lease liabilities

- thereof interest expenses on employee benefit plans, net

2022  

9.3  

0.4  

9.7  

–24.1  

–3.2  

–27.3  

–17.6  

24.0  

–1.5  

–6.6  

16.0  

–1.6  

24.0  

9.3  

–1.5  

–6.6  

–22.1  

–2.0  

–2.9  

2021

10.4

–

10.4

–22.5

–3.2

–25.7

–15.3

1.3

–1.6

–6.0

–6.4

–21.7

1.3

10.4

–1.6

–6.0

–20.4

–2.1

–3.2

In 2022, the total financial expenses, net amounted to CHF 1.6 million, compared with CHF 21.7 

million in 2021.

The line “Fair value changesˮ includes gains from fair value changes of investments in financial 

instruments classified at fair value through profit or loss amounting to CHF 8.7 million (2021: 

CHF 0.3 million), with the remainder relating to fair value changes of derivative financial instruments 

used as hedging instruments to hedge foreign exchange risks.

Currency exchange gains/losses are mainly related to foreign currency differences of non-operating 

assets and liabilities recorded at the prevailing rate at the time of acquisition (or preceding year-end 

closing rate) as against the current balance sheet rate. It includes a positive foreign exchange effect of 

CHF 21.0 million arising on unhedged intercompany loans to Russian entities prior to their 

classification as held for sale.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

143

2021

–86.4

29.1

–57.2

2021

197.9

23.7%

–46.9

1.0

–4.7

–5.3

3.6

–4.9

–57.2

28.9%

14

Income taxes

millions of CHF

Current income tax expenses

Deferred income tax (expenses) income

Total income tax expenses

2022  

–76.3  

–2.7  

–79.0  

The weighted average tax rate results from applying each subsidiary’s statutory income tax rate to the 

income before taxes. Since the group operates in countries that have differing tax laws and rates, the 

consolidated weighted average effective tax rate may vary from year to year according to variations in 

income per country and changes in applicable tax rates.

Reconciliation of income tax expenses

millions of CHF

Income before income tax expenses from continuing operations

Weighted average tax rate

Income taxes at weighted average tax rate

Income taxed at different tax rates

Effect of tax loss carryforwards and allowances for deferred income tax assets

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Effect of changes in tax rates and legislation

Prior year items and others

Total income tax expenses

Effective income tax rate

2022  

107.0  

23.7%  

–25.4  

3.4  

–2.7  

–5.2  

–2.2  

–47.0  

–79.0  

73.8%  

The effective income tax rate for 2022 was 73.8% (2021: 28.9%). The effective income tax rate was 

significantly impacted by recognized impairments on the Russian business upon the classification of 

the four Russian entities as held for sale and the wind down of the Polish business. The total tax 

impact amounts to CHF 37.4 million, with CHF 32.3 million presented in prior year items and others. 

Furthermore, the effect of tax loss carryforwards and allowances for deferred income tax assets in the 

amount of –2.7 million was impacted by a reversal of Russian deferred tax assets in the amount of 

CHF 5.1 million.

The effect of changes in tax rates and legislation mainly relates to the announced tax rate change in 

France and UK causing the revaluation of a deferred tax position in the amount of –2.2 million. 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes in the amount of –5.2 million mainly relates to 

disallowances of group charges and interest.

Prior year items and others include beside the above mentioned Russian and Polish restructuring 

effects a –2.7 million impact from CTA movements and adjustments on deferred and current tax 

receivables in Sweden and Switzerland in the amount of –3.6 million.

The effective income tax rate for 2021 was 28.9%. The effect of tax loss carryforwards and 

allowances for deferred tax assets in the amount of CHF –4.7 million consist of restructuring expenses 

related to closed facilities and divestments of businesses with no corresponding tax effects. Expenses 

not deductible for tax purposes in the amount of CHF –5.3 million mainly relate to the disallowance of 

group charges and interests. Prior year items and others include additional provision for uncertain tax 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

144

positions in the amount of CHF 1.1 million, tax base adjustments in Russia and Mexico, and negative 

tax audit assessments.

Income tax liabilities

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Total income tax liabilities as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

2022  

42.4  

–  

–  

76.1  

–16.6  

–67.4  

–1.8  

32.8  

2.7  

30.0  

Summary of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Current provisions

Other liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Elimination of intercompany profits

Assets  

Liabilities  

11.8  

3.6  

21.3  

32.3  

18.9  

20.7  

9.1  

29.2  

53.6  

23.5  

1.1  

–57.9  

–17.4  

–1.6  

–2.1  

–  

–1.0  

–1.0  

–16.8  

–  

–  

–30.7  

–11.7  

2022  

Net  

–46.1  

–13.7  

19.7  

30.3  

20.7  

8.0  

28.2  

36.9  

23.5  

1.1  

96.9  

Assets  

Liabilities  

11.9  

3.2  

17.1  

29.4  

18.7  

33.0  

13.4  

29.2  

48.0  

28.9  

0.5  

–66.5  

–16.8  

–0.5  

–1.2  

–50.9  

–  

–0.0  

–2.7  

–14.6  

–  

–  

233.2  

–153.2  

Tax assets / liabilities

225.2  

–128.3  

Offset of assets and liabilities

–75.3  

75.3  

–  

–69.1  

69.1  

–

Net recorded deferred income tax assets and 
liabilities

149.9  

–53.0  

96.9  

164.2  

–84.1  

80.1

Cumulative deferred income taxes recorded in equity as of December 31, 2022, amounted to 

CHF 21.8 million (2021: CHF 0.5 million). The group does not recognize any deferred taxes on 

investments in subsidiaries because it controls the dividend policy of its subsidiaries – i.e., the group 

controls the timing of reversal of the related taxable temporary differences and management is 

satisfied that no material amounts will reverse in the foreseeable future.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

2021

43.5

0.7

–10.0

77.0

–6.9

–62.6

0.7

42.4

2.2

40.2

2021

Net

–54.6

–13.6

16.6

28.2

–32.2

33.0

13.4

26.5

33.4

28.9

0.5

80.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

145

Movement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Current provisions

Other liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Elimination of intercompany profits

Total

Balance as 
of January 1  

Recognized in 
profit or loss - 
continuing 
operations  

Recognized in 
other 
comprehensive 
income  

Currency 
translation 
differences  

Balance as 
of December 
31

2022

–54.6  

–13.6  

16.6  

28.2  

–32.2  

33.0  

13.4  

26.5  

33.4  

28.9  

0.5  

80.1  

4.6  

–0.7  

3.1  

1.5  

15.4  

–25.2  

–5.2  

2.2  

4.7  

–3.8  

0.6  

–2.7  

–  

–  

–  

–  

5.4  

15.4  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

20.7  

3.9  

0.6  

0.0  

0.6  

–0.3  

–2.5  

–0.2  

–0.5  

–1.3  

–1.6  

–  

–1.2  

–46.1

–13.7

19.7

30.3

–11.7

20.7

8.0

28.2

36.9

23.5

1.1

96.9

2021

millions of CHF

Balance as of 

January 1  

Recognized 
in profit or 
loss 
continuing 
operations  

Recognized 
in profit or 
loss 
discontinued 

operations  

Recognized 
in other 

comprehensive 
income  

Acquisition of 

Derecognized 
as 
discontinued 

subsidiaries  

operations  

Currency 
translation 
differences  

Balance as 
of 
December 
31

Intangible assets

–66.1  

5.6  

–19.7  

21.4  

0.5  

–54.6

–11.5  

3.2  

24.7  

–2.4  

13.2  

2.3  

3.8  

0.8  

–  

1.2  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–15.2  

–13.9  

–6.3  

0.8  

36.4  

7.2  

2.1  

–13.4  

10.8  

15.4  

25.1  

2.9  

10.7  

6.5  

–  

0.2  

1.3  

42.7  

–2.8  

–8.4  

0.6  

66.0  

–0.1  

29.1  

–  

–5.3  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–12.6  

–19.6  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.1  

–  

–  

–  

–0.1  

–0.4  

–  

–  

–0.2  

–0.7  

–0.2  

–  

–0.8  

0.2  

–  

2.6  

1.5  

–  

–  

1.3  

–1.9  

–0.7  

–  

17.5  

–  

5.0  

–13.6

16.6

28.2

–32.2

33.0

13.4

26.5

33.4

28.9

0.5

80.1

Property, plant and 
equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Defined benefit 
obligations

Non-current 
provisions

Current provisions

Other liabilities

Tax loss 
carryforwards

Elimination of 
intercompany profits

Total

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

146

Tax loss carryforwards (TLCF)

millions of CHF

Expiring in the next 3 years

Expiring in 4–7 years

Available without limitation

Total tax loss carryforwards as of December 31

millions of CHF

Expiring in the next 3 years

Expiring in 4–7 years

Available without limitation

Total tax loss carryforwards as of December 31

2022

Potential tax 

Amount  

assets  

Valuation 
allowance  

Carrying 
amount  

Unrecognized 

TLCF

0.1  

6.0  

219.4  

225.5  

0.0  

1.1  

39.4  

40.5  

–  

–0.0  

–17.0  

–17.0  

0.0  

1.1  

22.4  

23.5  

–

0.4

97.2

97.6

Potential tax 

Amount  

assets  

Valuation 
allowance  

Carrying 
amount  

0.0  

17.0  

232.4  

249.4  

0.0  

3.6  

45.7  

49.3  

–  

–3.1  

–17.3  

–20.4  

0.0  

0.5  

28.4  

28.9  

2021

Unrecognized 

TLCF

–

14.5

104.8

119.3

Deferred income tax assets are recognized for tax loss carryforwards to the extent that the realization 

of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. No deferred income tax assets 

have been recognized on tax loss carryforwards in the amount of CHF 97.6 million (2021: 

CHF 119.3 million) or on step-ups in relation with the Swiss corporate tax reform (TRAF), which 

entered into effect on January 1, 2020.

To tackle uneven profit distribution and tax contributions of large multinational enterprises, several tax 

initiatives have been launched at the global level, including an agreement by over 135 jurisdictions to 

introduce a global minimum tax rate of 15%. In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-

operation and Development (OECD) released a draft legislative framework, followed by detailed 

guidance released in March 2022. Both documents should be used by individual jurisdictions, which 

signed the agreement to amend their unilateral tax laws. Once changes to the tax laws in any 

jurisdiction in which Sulzer operates are enacted or substantively enacted, Sulzer may be subject to 

the top-up tax. At the date when these financial statements were authorized for issue, none of the 

jurisdictions in which Sulzer operates had enacted or substantively enacted the tax legislation related 

to the top-up tax. Management is closely monitoring the progress of the legislative process in each 

Sulzer jurisdiction. On December 31, 2022, the current status of the legislative process does not allow 

the Group to determine the potential quantitative impact.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

147

15 Goodwill and other intangible assets

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Divestitures of subsidiaries
Classification as held for sale 1)

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated amortization and impairment losses  

Balance as of January 1

Divestitures of subsidiaries
Classification as held for sale 1)

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

Goodwill

Trademarks 
and licenses  

Research and 
development  

Computer 

software  

Customer 
relationship  

1’067.3  
–  
–8.6  
–  
–  
–  
–41.8  
1’016.9  

340.0  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
340.0  

727.3  
676.9  

93.8  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–1.3  
92.5  

38.1  
–  
–  
8.4  
–  
–0.7  
45.8  

55.7  
46.7  

9.8  
–  
–  
2.2  
–  
4.1  
–0.0  
16.1  

8.2  
–  
–  
1.1  
–  
–0.0  
9.3  

1.6  
6.7  

47.2  
–0.3  
–0.8  
6.4  
–4.1  
1.8  
0.5  
50.7  

33.3  
–0.3  
–0.3  
2.3  
–4.1  
–0.2  
30.7  

14.0  
20.0  

449.5  
–1.4  
–12.6  
0.1  
–8.6  
0.2  
–27.7  
399.5  

244.2  
–1.4  
–6.4  
27.0  
–8.6  
–16.2  
238.6  

205.3  
160.8  

1’003.8

911.2

1)

In 2022, Goodwill in the amount of CHF 8.6 million and other intangible assets with a net book value of 6.7 million were allocated to the Russian disposal group and fully impaired; 
reference is made to note 6. The impairments of CHF 15.3m are recorded in other operating expenses (see note 12).

Goodwill

Trademarks 
and licenses  

Research and 
development  

Computer 

software  

Customer 
relationship  

1’286.0  
56.6  
–265.4  
–  
–  
–9.9  
1’067.3  

340.0  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
340.0  

946.0  
727.3  

221.6  
11.0  
–78.8  
–  
–61.2  
1.2  
93.8  

148.7  
–66.2  
16.9  
–61.2  
–  
–0.1  
38.1  

73.0  
55.7  

15.3  
–  
–5.8  
0.3  
–0.0  
–0.0  
9.8  

11.4  
–4.4  
1.3  
–0.0  
–  
–0.0  
8.2  

4.0  
1.6  

58.3  
–  
–16.7  
6.7  
–2.4  
1.4  
47.2  

46.5  
–13.9  
2.8  
–2.3  
–  
0.2  
33.3  

628.4  
68.7  
–239.8  
0.0  
–0.7  
–7.1  
449.5  

316.1  
–112.7  
45.9  
–0.7  
0.2  
–4.6  
244.2  

11.8  
14.0  

312.3  
205.3  

1’347.0

1’003.8

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated amortization and impairment losses  

Balance as of January 1

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Disposals

Impairments

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

report.sulzer.com/ar22

2022

Total

1’667.6

–1.7

–22.0

8.7

–12.6

6.0

–70.3

1’575.6

663.8

–1.7

–6.7

38.8

–12.6

–17.1

664.5

2021

Total

2’209.6

136.3

–606.6

6.9

–64.4

–14.4

1’667.6

862.6

–197.2

66.8

–64.2

0.2

–4.5

663.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

148

Goodwill impairment test

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Total as of December 31

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Discontinued operations

Total as of December 31

Goodwill  

Headroom  

Growth rate 
residual value  

Pretax discount 
rate

2022

384.9  

205.0  

87.0  

676.9  

605.7  

1’275.5  

717.6  

2’598.8  

2.0%  

2.0%  

2.0%  

8.9%

10.2%

10.5%

2021

Goodwill  

Headroom  

Growth rate 
residual value  

Pretax discount 
rate

416.3  

222.0  

88.9  

–  

545.0  

1’208.2  

684.2  

–  

727.3  

2’437.4  

2.0%  

2.0%  

2.0%  

n/a  

8.3%

10.5%

9.5%

n/a

Goodwill is allocated to the smallest cash-generating unit at which goodwill is monitored for internal 

management purposes (i.e., division). The recoverable amount has been determined based on a 

value-in-use calculation. The three-year strategic plan approved by the Board of Directors in the first 

quarter of the year forms the basis for the projected cash flows, with two additional periods based on 

a management calculation. These cash flow projections were updated by management in the middle 

of the year following the classification of the Russian business as held for sale and the associated 

write-downs. These updated cash flow projections cover a period of four and a half years. Cash flows 

beyond the planning period are extrapolated using a terminal value including a growth rate as stated 

above. 

As of December 31, 2022, there is no indication of goodwill impairment. Updating the impairment test 

would not have resulted in any goodwill impairment.

Sensitivity analyses

The recoverable amount from cash-generating units is measured on the basis of value-in-use 

calculations significantly impacted by the terminal growth rate used to determine the residual value, 

the discount rate and the projected cash flows. The table above shows the amount by which the 

estimated recoverable amount of the CGU exceeds its carrying amount (headroom).

Management identified that for the CGU Flow Equipment, a reasonably possible decrease in the 

terminal growth rate by 6.6 percentage points could cause the carrying amount to exceed the 

recoverable amount (2021: decrease by 5.0 percentage points).

Management determined there are no other reasonably possible changes in key assumptions that 

would result in a goodwill impairment.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

149

16 Property, plant and equipment

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Divestitures of subsidiaries
Classification as held for sale 1)

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated depreciation

Balance as of January 1

Divestitures of subsidiaries
Classification as held for sale 1)

Additions

Disposals

Impairments

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

Land and 
buildings  

Machinery and 
technical 
equipment  

Other non-
current assets  

Assets under 
construction  

332.8  
–0.6  
–9.1  
4.6  
–3.1  
10.5  
–8.4  
326.8  

150.7  
–0.2  
–1.5  
10.1  
–1.6  
-  
–4.6  
152.9  

503.8  
–5.4  
–15.8  
14.8  
–24.5  
20.5  
–15.9  
477.5  

363.9  
–3.6  
–9.4  
25.9  
–22.7  
7.8  
–11.9  
350.1  

179.4  
–0.6  
–4.1  
7.8  
–6.7  
2.5  
–5.5  
172.8  

151.1  
–0.5  
–2.7  
11.0  
–6.3  
0.0  
–5.5  
147.1  

182.2  
173.9  

139.8  
127.4  

28.4  
25.7  

43.6  
–0.1  
–0.7  
34.0  
–  
–39.5  
–1.2  
36.1  

-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
2.7  
–0.1  
2.6  

43.6  
33.5  

2022

Total

1’059.6

–6.7

–29.7

61.2

–34.3

–6.0

–31.0

1’013.2

665.7

–4.3

–13.5

47.0

–30.6

10.5

–22.1

652.6

394.0

360.5

1)

In 2022, property, plant and equipment with a net book value of CHF 16.2 million was included in the Russian disposal group classified as held for sale and fully impaired; reference is 
made to note 6. The impairments of CHF 16.2 million are recorded in other operating expenses (see note 12).

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated depreciation

Balance as of January 1

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Disposals

Impairments

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

Land and 
buildings  

Machinery and 
technical 
equipment  

Other non-
current assets  

Assets under 
construction  

366.8  
0.5  
–46.6  
5.3  
–9.1  
10.4  
5.5  
332.8  

169.5  
–26.6  
11.9  
–5.9  
0.0  
1.7  
150.7  

710.2  
2.0  
–229.2  
14.5  
–24.4  
24.4  
6.3  
503.8  

489.8  
–146.4  
41.1  
–21.0  
1.4  
–0.9  
363.9  

186.3  
0.0  
–16.6  
6.9  
–7.5  
10.3  
–0.1  
179.4  

148.0  
–7.4  
12.1  
–6.9  
0.1  
5.2  
151.1  

197.3  
182.2  

220.4  
139.8  

38.3  
28.4  

89.3  
0.1  
–53.6  
52.4  
–  
–45.1  
0.6  
43.6  

–  
–0.6  
–  
–  
0.6  
–  
–  

89.3  
43.6  

2021

Total

1’352.6

2.5

–346.0

79.2

–41.0

–

12.4

1’059.6

807.3

–181.0

65.0

–33.9

2.1

6.1

665.7

545.3

394.0

The group performed impairment tests on production machines and facilities, resulting in impairments 

of CHF 10.5 million as of December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: CHF 2.1 million), all of which were 

charged to operating expenses. 

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

150

In 2022, the group sold property, plant and equipment with a book value of CHF 3.6 million for 

CHF 9.0 million resulting in a net gain of CHF 5.5 million (2021: property, plant and equipment with a 

book value of CHF 7.1 million was sold for CHF 8.7 million, resulting in a net gain of CHF 1.5 million).

The contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2022, 

amounted to CHF 5.0 million (December 31, 2021: CHF 11.8 million).

17

Leases

Lease assets

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Classification as held for sale 1)

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Impairments

Remeasurements and contract modifications

Currency translation differences

Total lease assets as of December 31

Land and 
buildings, 

leased  

Machinery and 
technical 
equipment, 

Other non-
current assets, 

leased  

leased  

71.7  

–0.7  

33.6  

–5.8  

–20.2  

–1.6  

–0.5  

–3.4  

73.0  

5.7  

–  

1.4  

–0.1  

–2.5  

–  

–  

–0.0  

4.5  

11.7  

–0.0  

8.4  

–0.6  

–6.3  

–0.0  

0.1  

–0.7  

12.6  

1)

In 2022, lease assets with a book value of CHF 0.7 million were included in the Russian disposal group classified as held for sale and fully impaired, 
reference is made to Note 6. The impairments of CHF 0.7m are recorded in other operating expenses (see note 12).

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Impairments

Remeasurements and contract modifications

Currency translation differences

Total lease assets as of December 31

Land and 
buildings, 

leased  

Machinery and 
technical 
equipment, 

Other non-
current assets, 

leased  

leased  

99.7  

3.7  

–45.1  

52.6  

–1.0  

–27.0  

–2.4  

–8.9  

–0.0  

71.7  

8.2  

0.1  

–5.3  

5.4  

–0.0  

–2.6  

–  

–  

0.1  

5.7  

13.4  

0.6  

–1.2  

7.7  

–1.5  

–6.9  

–  

–0.1  

–0.2  

11.7  

2022

Total

89.2

–0.7

43.3

–6.5

–29.0

–1.7

–0.4

–4.1

90.1

2021

Total

121.2

4.4

–51.6

65.7

–2.5

–36.5

–2.4

–9.0

–0.1

89.2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

151

Lease liabilities

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Classification as held for sale

Additions

Interest expenses

Cash flow for repayments – principal portion

Cash flow for repayments – interest portion

Remeasurements and contract modifications

Currency translation differences

Total lease liabilities as of December 31

- thereof non-current lease liabilities

- thereof current lease liabilities

2022  

88.8  

0.0  

–  

–0.5  

43.3  

2.0  

–32.1  

–2.0  

–6.0  

–4.0  

89.6  

67.2  

22.4  

2021

119.7

4.4

–51.1

–

65.7

2.1

–41.1

–2.1

–8.4

–0.4

88.8

64.5

24.3

The group leases land and buildings used for production, storage or office space. The terms are 

typically fixed for a period of three to five years. Various lease contracts for buildings contain 

extension options, providing the group with operational flexibility and planning security. Extension 

options are included in the lease liability and the lease assets only if Management assesses these 

extension options as reasonably certain to be exercised.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

152

Other leasing disclosures

millions of CHF

Recognized in the income statement

Expenses relating to short-term leases

Expenses relating to low-value asset leases, excluding short-term leases of 
low-value assets

Expenses relating to variable lease payments not included in the lease liability  

Income from subleasing right-of-use assets

Interest expenses on lease liabilities

Total recognized in the income statement continuing operations

Recognized in the income statement of discontinued operations

Total recognized in the income statement

Recognized in the statement of cash flows

Cash flow for short-term, low-value and variable leases (included within cash 
flow from operating activities)

Cash flow from subleasing right-of-use assets (included within cash flow from 
operating activities)

Cash flow for repayments of interest on lease liabilities (included within cash 
flow from operating activities)

Cash flow for repayments of the principal portion on lease liabilities (included 
within cash flow from financing activities)

Total cash outflow

18 Associates

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Share of profit / (loss) of associates

Dividend payments received

Currency translation differences

Total investments in associates as of December 31

2022  

–13.8  

–1.0  

–2.7  

0.5  

–2.0  

–19.0  

–  

–19.0  

–17.6  

0.5  

–2.0  

–32.1  

–51.1  

2022  

25.5  

20.9  

–2.7  

–0.1  

–1.8  

41.8  

2021

–15.2

–1.5

–2.6

0.8

–2.1

–20.6

–2.4

–23.0

–19.3

0.8

–2.1

–41.1

–61.7

2021

21.2

6.9

–2.2

–0.5

0.2

25.5

On September 22, 2022, the group increased its investment in the associate Worn Again by 

CHF 20.9 million. Worn Again is developing a unique polymer recycling process leveraging the 

group’s technology to enable the recycling of textiles and polyester packaging. Sulzer is accounting 

for its investment in Worn Again using the equity method of accounting. 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

153

2022

Total

44.7

–

9.6

–4.4

–5.8

–1.7

42.5

28.5

14.0

2021

Total

315.7

–0.4

456.2

6.2

19 Other financial assets

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Repayments

Changes in fair value

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through profit or 

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 

Financial assets 
at amortized 

loss  

10.9  

–  

6.7  

–  

8.0  

–1.1  

24.4  

22.8  

1.5  

income  

22.5  

–  

–  

–  

–13.7  

–  

8.8  

–  

8.8  

costs  

11.3  

–  

2.9  

–4.4  

–  

–0.6  

9.3  

5.6  

3.6  

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Recognized through Applicator Systems division spin-off

Additions

Repayments

Changes in fair value

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through profit or 

loss  

10.4  

–0.0  

–  

0.9  

–  

0.3  

–0.7  

10.9  

8.9  

2.0  

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 

income  

–  

–  

21.9  

–  

–  

0.6  

–  

22.5  

–  

22.5  

Financial assets 
at amortized 

costs  

305.3  

–0.4  

434.2  

5.3  

–733.0  

–733.0

–  

–0.1  

11.3  

9.1  

2.2  

0.9

–0.8

44.7

18.0

26.7

Financial assets that belong to the category “financial assets at fair value through profit or lossˮ

include investments in equity securities.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

154

The financial assets in the category “financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 

incomeˮ are comprised of medmix shares amounting to CHF 8.8 million (2021: CHF 22.5 million), 

which were received as part of the Applicator Systems spin-off in 2021. The financial investment in 

medmix Ltd is recognized at its fair value based on the share price of medmix Ltd (a level 1 hierarchy 

valuation). Management has designated this investment at fair value through other comprehensive 

income at initial recognition. In 2022, fair value changes amounting to CHF –13.7 million (2021: 

CHF 0.6 million) were recorded in other comprehensive income, with an associated deferred tax effect 

of CHF 2.7 million (2021: CHF 0.1 million). The dividend received amounted to CHF 0.2 million (2021: 

CHF 0.0 million).

Financial assets at amortized costs include CHF 2.7 million (2021: CHF 0.0 million) in investments in 

fixed-term deposits with maturities between 4 and 12 months at the date of acquisition.

20

Inventories

millions of CHF

Raw materials, supplies and consumables

Work in progress

Finished products and trade merchandise

Total inventories as of December 31

2022  

192.3  

250.3  

79.9  

522.4  

2021

186.0

218.3

71.3

475.6

In 2022, the group recognized write-downs of CHF 49.8 million (2021: CHF 16.5 million) in the income 

statement, of which CHF 

31.4 million

 relates to write-downs in connection with the Russian business 

classified as held for sale. The accumulated write-downs on inventories amounted to CHF 79.9 million 

as of December 31, 2022 (2021: CHF 85.4 million). Material expenses in 2022 amounted to CHF 

1’192.1 million (2021: CHF 1’110.1 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

155

21 Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers

millions of CHF

Sales recognized over time related to ongoing performance obligations

Sales recognized over time related to satisfied performance obligations

Sales recognized over time

Sales recognized at a point in time

Sales

– thereof sales recognized included in the contract liability balance at the 
beginning of the period

– thereof sales recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or partially 
satisfied) in previous periods

Cost of goods sold recognized over time related to ongoing performance 
obligations

Cost of goods sold recognized over time related to satisfied performance 
obligations

Cost of goods sold recognized over time

Cost of goods sold recognized at a point in time

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit recognized over time related to ongoing performance obligations  
Gross profit recognized over time related to satisfied performance obligations  
Gross profit recognized over time

Gross profit recognized at a point in time

Gross profit

Contract assets from sales recognized over time relating to ongoing 
performance obligations

Expected loss rate

Allowance for expected losses

Allowance for expected losses and write-off of contract assets in the disposal 
group classified as held for sale (see note 6)

Netting with contract liabilities

Contract assets

Contract liabilities from costs recognized over time relating to ongoing 
performance obligations

Advance payments from customers relating to point in time contracts

Advance payments from customers relating to over time contracts

Netting with contract assets

Contract liabilities

Order backlog (aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied 
performance obligations)

– thereof expected to be recognized as revenue within 12 months

– thereof expected to be recognized in more than 12 months

2022  
641.5  
511.6  
1’153.1  

2’026.8  
3’179.9  

324.5  

0.1  

–495.3  

–372.4  
–867.7  

–1’372.6  
–2’240.3  

146.2  
139.2  
285.4  

654.2  
939.6  

1’087.4  
0.2%  
–2.4  

–26.8  
–592.1  
466.1  

119.2  
172.9  
682.3  
–592.1  
382.3  

1’844.7  
1’650.5  
194.2  

2021

525.5

360.6

886.0

2’269.3

3’155.3

300.5

0.6

–391.8

–255.5

–647.3

–1’561.1

–2’208.4

133.7

105.0

238.7

708.2

946.9

912.5

0.1%

–0.6

–

–502.6

409.3

86.3

173.3

567.5

–502.6

324.5

1’724.1

1’515.8

208.3

Total sales recognized over time increased from CHF 886.0 million in 2021 to CHF 1'153.1 million in 

2022. Contract assets increased by CHF 56.8 million and contract liabilities by CHF 57.8 million.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

156

22

Trade accounts receivable

Aging structure of trade accounts receivable

millions of CHF

Expected 
loss rate  

Gross 

amount   Allowance  

Net book 
value  

Expected 
loss rate  

Gross 

amount   Allowance  

2022  

2021

Net book 
value

Not past due

0.9%  

439.0  

–3.7  

435.2  

0.2%  

411.0  

–0.9  

410.2

Past due

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–120 days

>120 days

Total trade 
accounts 
receivable as of 
December 31

0.9%  

1.5%  

8.4%  

52.2%  

61.6  

31.7  

20.7  

81.6  

–0.6  

–0.5  

–1.7  

61.1  

31.2  

19.0  

0.5%  

3.7%  

3.5%  

–42.6  

39.0  

56.7%  

54.6  

24.1  

21.2  

94.7  

–0.3  

–0.9  

–0.7  

–53.7  

54.3

23.2

20.5

41.0

634.6  

–49.1  

585.5  

605.7  

–56.5  

549.2

Allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Reclassification as held for sale

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

2022  

56.5  

–  

–8.6  

19.3  

–10.1  

–7.6  

–0.3  

49.1  

2021

53.7

–2.0

–

19.5

–8.5

–6.7

0.6

56.5

Approximately 31% (2021: 32%) of the gross amount of trade accounts receivable was past due, and 

an allowance of CHF 49.1 million (2021: CHF 56.5 million) was recorded. The recoverability of trade 

accounts receivable is regularly reviewed, and the credit quality of new customers is thoroughly 

assessed. Due to the large and heterogeneous customer base, the credit risk from individual 

customers of the group is limited. The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable is based on 

expected credit losses by country and by division. These are based on historical observed default 

rates over the expected life of the trade receivables and are adjusted for forward-looking information 

such as development of gross domestic product (GDP).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

157

Accounts receivable by geographical region

millions of CHF

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

– thereof United Kingdom

– thereof Saudi Arabia

– thereof Germany

– thereof Spain

– thereof France

Americas

– thereof USA

Asia-Pacific

– thereof China

Total as of December 31

2022  

265.9  

48.0  

38.6  

22.8  

21.7  

23.4  

124.8  

75.3  

194.8  

127.5  

585.5  

23 Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

millions of CHF

Taxes (VAT, withholding tax)

Derivative financial instruments

Other current receivables

Total other current receivables as of December 31

Prepaid expenses

Total prepaid expenses as of December 31

2022  

55.8  

13.2  

23.4  

92.4  

36.3  

36.3  

2021

236.1

55.3

32.5

15.8

20.4

12.1

111.0

70.5

202.0

137.7

549.2

2021

62.0

7.0

18.3

87.3

31.4

31.4

Total other current receivables and prepaid expenses as of December 31  

128.7  

118.7

For further details on derivative financial instruments, refer to 

note 30

. Other current receivables and 

prepaid expenses do not include any material positions that are past due or impaired.

24 Cash and cash equivalents

millions of CHF

Cash

Cash equivalents

Total cash and cash equivalents as of December 31

2022  

939.6  

256.8  

1’196.3  

2021

858.4

647.0

1’505.4

As of December 31, 2022, the group held restricted cash and cash equivalents of CHF 15.7 million 

(2021: CHF 36.3 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

158

25 Equity

Share capital

thousands of CHF

2022  

2021

Number of 

Number of 

shares  

Share capital  

shares  

Share capital

Balance as of December 31 (par value CHF 0.01)

34’262’370  

342.6  

34’262’370  

342.6

The share capital amounts to CHF 342’623.70, made up of 34’262’370 shares with dividend 

entitlement and a par value of CHF 0.01. All shares are fully paid in and registered. On December 31, 

2022, conditional share capital amounted to CHF 17’000 (2021: CHF 17’000), consisting of 1’700’000 

shares with a par value of CHF 0.01.

Share ownership

Sulzer shares are freely transferable provided that, when requested by the company to do so, buyers 

declare that they have purchased and will hold the shares in their own name and for their own 

account. Nominees will only be entered in the share register with the right to vote provided that they 

meet the following conditions: the nominee is subject to the supervision of a recognized banking and 

financial market regulator; the nominee has entered into an agreement with the Board of Directors 

concerning its status; the share capital held by the nominee does not exceed 3% of the registered 

share capital entered in the commercial register; and the names, addresses and number of shares of 

those individuals for whose accounts the nominee holds at least 0.5% of the share capital have been 

disclosed. The Board of Directors is also entitled, beyond these limits, to enter shares of nominees 

with voting rights in the share register, provided that the above-mentioned conditions are met (see 

also paragraph 6a of the Articles of Association at 

https://sulzer.com/governance

).

Shareholders holding more than 3%

Dec 31, 2022  

Dec 31, 2021

Number of 

shares  

in %  

Number of 

shares  

Viktor Vekselberg (direct shareholder: Tiwel Holding AG)

16’728’414  

48.82  

16’728’414  

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

1’034’950  

3.02  

-  

FIL Limited

-  

-  

1’114’854  

in %

48.82

-

3.25

Retained earnings

The retained earnings include prior years’ undistributed income of consolidated companies and all 

remeasurements of the net liability for defined benefit plans and other transactions recorded directly 

in retained earnings.

Treasury shares

During 2022, the group acquired 281’349 treasury shares for CHF 19.5 million (2021: 207’690 shares 

for CHF 21.8 million). The total number of shares held by the group as of December 31, 2022, 

amounted to 523’855 treasury shares (December 31, 2021: 534'733 shares).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

159

The treasury shares are mainly held for the purpose of issuing shares under the management share-

based payment programs.

Cash flow hedge reserve

The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of 

cash flow hedging instruments where the hedged transaction has not yet occurred. Amounts are 

reclassified to profit or loss when the associated hedged transaction affects the income statement.

Currency translation reserve

The currency translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising on the translation 

of the financial statements of controlled entities, whose functional currency differs from the reporting 

currency of the group. The cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net investment 

is derecognized.

Acquisition of non-controlling interests without a change of control

Reference is made to 

note 4

.

Spin-off Applicator Systems division

Reference is made to 

note 5

.

Transaction costs

In 2022, directly attributable transaction costs relating to the spin-off of the Applicator Systems 

division amounting to CHF 0.7 million (2021: CHF 3.4 million) have been recognized directly in 

retained earnings in equity.

Dividends

On April 6, 2022, the Annual General Meeting approved an ordinary dividend of CHF 3.50 (2021: 

ordinary dividend of CHF 4.00) per share to be paid out of reserves. The dividend was paid to 

shareholders on April 12, 2022. The total amount of the dividend to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd was 

CHF 118.7 million (2021: CHF 135.4 million), thereof paid dividends of CHF 80.6 million (2021: 

CHF 91.9 million) and unpaid dividends of CHF 38.1 million (2021: CHF 43.5 million). The dividend 

payments to the group’s main shareholder, Tiwel Holding AG, could not be transferred as a result of 

US sanctions. The unpaid dividends are reflected in the balance sheet position “other current and 

accrued liabilitiesˮ (see 

note 29

).

The Board of Directors decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting 2023 a dividend for the 

year 2022 of CHF 3.50 per share (2021: CHF 3.50).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

160

26 Earnings per share

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd – continuing operations

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd – discontinued operations

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd (millions of CHF)

Issued number of shares

Adjustment for average treasury shares held

Average number of shares outstanding as of December 31

2022  

28.6  

–  

28.6  

34’262’370  

–436’556  

33’825’814  

2021

138.5

1’278.3

1’416.7

34’262’370

–474’364

33’788’006

Adjustment for share participation plans

697’151  

534’195

Average number of shares for calculating diluted earnings per share as of 
December 31

34’522’965  

34’322’201

Earnings per share, attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd (in CHF) as of 
December 31

Basic earnings per share

– thereof basic earnings per share continuing operations

– thereof basic earnings per share discontinued operations

Diluted earnings per share

– thereof diluted earnings per share continuing operations

– thereof diluted earnings per share discontinued operations

0.85  

0.85  

–  

0.83  

0.83  

–  

41.93

4.10

37.83

41.28

4.03

37.24

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

161

27 Borrowings

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Cash flow from proceeds

Cash flow for repayments

Changes in amortized costs

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total borrowings as of December 31

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Cash flow from proceeds

Cash flow for repayments

Changes in amortized costs

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total borrowings as of December 31

Borrowings by currency

CHF

INR

IDR

USD

EUR

SEK

Other

Non-current 
borrowings  

Current borrowings  

1’164.6  

169.6  

–0.0  

0.3  

–289.9  

–0.8  

1’043.9  

Non-current 
borrowings  

1’491.3  

0.8  

–  

0.0  

–0.0  

0.3  

–327.7  

–0.0  

1’164.6  

345.5  

1’054.0  

–1’376.1  

0.0  

289.9  

–1.8  

311.4  

Current borrowings  

231.8  

–  

–5.5  

54.8  

–263.1  

0.1  

327.7  

–0.4  

345.5  

2022

Total

1’510.1

1’223.6

–1’376.1

0.3

–

–2.6

1’355.3

2021

Total

1’723.1

0.8

–5.5

54.8

–263.1

0.4

–

–0.4

1’510.1

2022  

2021

millions of 

millions of 

CHF  

in %   Interest rate  

CHF  

in %   Interest rate

1’333.8  

98.4  

1.4%  

1’488.8  

98.6  

8.3  

6.3  

5.0  

–  

–  

0.6  

0.5  

0.4  

–  

–  

1.9  

0.1  

4.4%  

7.1%  

3.8%  

–  

–  

–  

–  

6.0  

1.6  

7.8  

1.3  

2.4  

2.1  

0.4  

0.1  

0.5  

0.1  

0.2  

0.1  

1’510.1  

100.0  

0.8%

4.7%

7.2%

0.9%

0.3%

2.1%

–

–

Total as of December 31

1’355.3  

100.0  

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

162

In 2021, the group arranged the renewal of the CHF 500 million syndicated credit facility with a 

maturity date of December 31, 2026. The facility includes two one-year extension options and a 

further option to increase the credit facility by CHF 250 million (subject to lenders’ approval). In 2022, 

the group exercised the first of the two extension options, extending the term of the credit facility 

partially by one year to December 2027 (for CHF 85 million of the facility, the maturity date remains 

unchanged). The facility is available for general corporate purposes including financing of acquisitions. 

The facility is subject to financial covenants based on net financial indebtedness and EBITDA, which 

were adhered to throughout the reporting period. As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, the syndicated 

facility was not used.

Outstanding bonds

millions of CHF

0.375% 07/2016–07/2022

0.875% 07/2016–07/2026

1.300% 07/2018–07/2023

1.600% 10/2018–10/2024

0.800% 09/2020–09/2025

0.875% 11/2020–11/2027

3.350% 12/2022–11/2026

Total as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

  Amortized costs  
–  
125.0  
289.9  
249.9  
299.6  
199.7  
169.6  
1’333.8  

2022  

Nominal   Amortized costs  
325.0  
125.0  
289.8  
249.9  
299.5  
199.7  
–  
1’488.8  

–  
125.0  
290.0  
250.0  
300.0  
200.0  
170.0  
1’335.0  

1’043.9  
289.9  

1’045.0  
290.0  

1’163.8  
325.0  

2021

Nominal

325.0

125.0

290.0

250.0

300.0

200.0

–

1’490.0

1’165.0

325.0

On December 16, 2022, Sulzer issued a CHF 170 million single tranche bond. The bond has a term of 

three years and 11 months and carries a coupon of 3.350% at a price of 100.055%.

All the outstanding bonds are traded on SIX Swiss Exchange.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

163

28 Provisions

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Classified as held for sale

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Total provisions as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Derecognized as discontinued operations

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Total provisions as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

Other 
employee 

benefits  

Warranties / 

liabilities   Restructuring   Environmental

53.9  

–  

11.0  

–7.0  

–10.6  

–2.8  

44.5  

31.0  

13.5  

93.8  

–2.5  

26.9  

–10.0  

–16.1  

0.1  

92.3  

3.2  

89.1  

21.0  

–  

1.8  

–1.7  

–12.7  

–0.3  

8.1  

1.2  

6.9  

11.8  

–  

0.1  

–  

–0.0  

–0.5  

11.4  

11.4  

0.0  

Other  

55.4  

–  

68.0  

–3.6  

–58.7  

–3.3  

57.8  

11.5  

46.3  

Other 
employee 

benefits  

Warranties / 

liabilities   Restructuring   Environmental

Other  

53.5  

0.6  

–4.0  

12.2  

–1.9  

–7.0  

0.4  

53.9  

38.9  

15.0  

85.3  

0.6  

–2.0  

37.1  

–6.9  

41.5  

–  

–0.5  

11.7  

–2.0  

–20.7  

–29.8  

0.3  

93.8  

4.0  

89.7  

0.1  

21.0  

2.5  

18.5  

12.8  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–1.1  

0.1  

11.8  

11.8  

0.0  

56.3  

0.9  

–7.2  

69.7  

–6.1  

–56.7  

–115.2

–1.4  

55.4  

10.8  

44.6  

–0.5

235.8

68.0

167.8

2022

Total

235.8

–2.5

107.8

–22.3

–97.9

–6.7

214.1

58.2

155.9

2021

Total

249.3

2.1

–13.7

130.7

–16.9

The category “Other employee benefitsˮ includes provisions for jubilee gifts, early retirement of senior 

managers and other obligations to employees. 

The category “Warranties/liabilitiesˮ includes provisions for warranties, customer claims, penalties, 

litigation and legal cases relating to goods delivered or services rendered.

In 2022, the group utilized CHF 12.7 million (2021: CHF 29.8 million) of restructuring provisions mainly 

relating to resizing measures of sites in Europe and the USA initiated in 2020 and 2021. The group 

recorded restructuring provisions of CHF 1.8 million for continuing operations (2021: CHF 11.5 million 

for continuing operation and CHF 0.2 million for discontinued operations), partly offset by released 

restructuring provisions of CHF 1.7 million (2021: CHF 2.0 million). Restructuring costs mainly relate to 

resizing activities in Indonesia. The remaining restructuring provision as of December 31, 2022, is 

CHF 8.1 million, of which CHF 6.9 million is expected to be utilized within one year.

“Environmentalˮ mainly consists of expected costs related to inherited liabilities.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

164

“Otherˮ includes provisions that do not fit into the aforementioned categories. A large number of these 

provisions refer to onerous contracts and indemnities, in particular related to divestitures. In addition, 

provisions for ongoing asbestos lawsuits and other legal claims are included. Based on the currently 

known facts, the group is of the opinion that the resolution of the open cases will not have material 

effects on its liquidity or financial condition. Although the group expects a large part of the category 

“Otherˮ to be realized in 2023, by their nature, the amounts and timing of any cash outflows are 

difficult to predict.

29 Other current and accrued liabilities

millions of CHF

Liability related to the purchase of treasury shares

Outstanding dividend payments

Taxes (VAT, withholding tax)

Derivative financial instruments

Notes payable

Contingent consideration

Other current liabilities

Total other current liabilities as of December 31

Contract-related costs

Salaries, wages and bonuses

Vacation and overtime claims

Other accrued liabilities

Total accrued liabilities as of December 31

Total other current and accrued liabilities as of December 31

2022  

92.9  

239.2  

33.0  

7.0  

20.6  

1.9  

43.6  

438.2  

137.8  

108.9  

22.4  

167.3  

436.5  

874.7  

2021

98.1

201.1

34.3

6.7

26.7

4.0

25.1

395.9

168.3

116.8

24.0

123.1

432.3

828.1

The outstanding dividend payments of CHF 239.2 million (2021: CHF 201.1 million) are explained in 

note 25

.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

165

30 Derivative financial instruments

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

2022  

2021

millions of CHF

value  

Fair value  

value  

Fair value  

value  

Fair value  

value  

Fair value

Notional 

Notional 

Notional 

Notional 

Forward exchange 
rate contracts

575.4  

13.2  

607.6  

7.0  

750.5  

Interest rate swaps  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

7.0  

0.7  

388.6  

–  

Total as of 
December 31

– thereof due in <1 
year

– thereof due in 1–
5 years

– thereof due in >5 
years

575.4  

13.2  

607.6  

7.0  

750.5  

7.7  

388.6  

571.5  

13.2  

597.7  

7.0  

750.5  

7.0  

387.9  

3.9  

0.1  

9.9  

0.0  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.7  

0.7  

–  

–  

6.7

0.8

7.5

6.7

0.0

0.8

The notional value and the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities include current and non-current 

derivative financial instruments. The cash flow hedges of expected future sales were assessed as 

highly effective. For 2022, the unrealized losses for cash flow hedges recorded in the cash flow hedge 

reserves amount to CHF 7.5 million (2021: CHF 2.5 million), net of a deferred tax impact of 

CHF 2.6 million (2021: CHF 0.7 million). As of December 31, 2022, net cumulative unrealized losses of 

CHF 5.7 million (2021: gains of CHF 4.3 million) with deferred tax assets of CHF 1.6 million (2021: 

deferred tax liabilities of CHF 1.0 million) relating to these cash flow hedges were included in the cash 

flow hedge reserves. In 2022, gains of CHF 0.1 million (2021: loss of CHF 0.7 million) were reclassified 

from cash flow hedge reserves to profit and loss from continuing operations (2021: gains of 

CHF 1.8 million to continuing operations, and losses of CHF 1.1 million to discontinued operations). 

There was no ineffectiveness that arose from cash flow hedges in 2022 (2021: CHF 0.0 million). The 

maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of the derivative assets in the 

balance sheet.

The hedged, highly probable forecast transactions denominated in foreign currencies are mostly 

expected to occur at various dates during the next 12 months. Gains and losses recognized in the 

cash flow hedge reserve in equity on forward foreign exchange contracts as of December 31, 2022, 

are recognized either in sales, cost of goods sold or other operating income / expenses in the period 

or periods during which the hedged transaction affects the income statement. This is generally within 

12 months from the balance sheet date unless the gain or loss is included in the initial amount 

recognized for the purchase of fixed assets, in which case recognition is over the lifetime of the asset 

(5 to 10 years).

The group enters into derivative financial instruments under enforceable master netting arrangements. 

These agreements do not meet the criteria for offsetting derivative assets and derivative liabilities in 

the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022, the amount subject to such netting 

arrangements was CHF 2.7 million (2021: CHF 3.4 million). Considering the effect of these 

agreements, the amount of derivative assets would reduce from CHF 13.2 million to CHF 10.5 million 

(2021: from CHF 7.7 million to CHF 4.3 million), and the amount of derivative liabilities would reduce 

from CHF 7.0 million to CHF 4.3 million (2021: from CHF 7.5 million to CHF 4.1 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

166

31 Contingent liabilities

millions of CHF

Guarantees in favor of third parties

Total contingent liabilities as of December 31

2022  

9.1  

9.1  

2021

43.0

43.0

As of December 31, 2022, guarantees provided to third parties amounted to CHF 9.1 million (2021: 

CHF 43.0 million), whereof CHF 9.1 million were related to disposed businesses (2021: CHF 42.0 

million). All guarantees will expire in 2023.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

167

32 Share participation plans

Share-based payments charged to personnel expenses

millions of CHF

Restricted share unit plan

Performance share plan continuing operations

Performance share plan discontinued operations

Total charged to personnel expenses

2022  

1.6  

13.8  

-  

15.4  

2021

1.3

19.5

1.1

21.9

Restricted share unit plan settled in Sulzer shares

This long-term incentive plan covers the Board of Directors. Restricted share units (RSU) are granted 

annually. Awards to members of the Board of Directors automatically vest with the departure from the 

Board. The plan features graded vesting over a three-year period. One RSU award is settled with one 

Sulzer share at the end of the vesting period. The fair value of the RSU granted is measured at the 

grant date closing share price of Sulzer Ltd, and discounted over the vesting period using a discount 

rate that is based on the yield of Swiss government bonds for the duration of the vesting period. 

Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the vesting period. Consequently, the grant 

date fair value of the RSU is reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid during 

the vesting period.

Given the spin-off of the Applicator Systems division in 2021, the group neutralized the consequences 

from the demerger for the restricted share plans. The number of originally granted RSU was 

recalculated to neutralize the effect of the spin-off on the share price, resulting in the same fair value 

before and after the spin-off and did not impact the share-based payments expense.

Restricted share units

Grant year

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

2018  

Total

Outstanding as of January 1, 2021

Granted

APS division spin-off

Exercised

Outstanding as of December 31, 2021

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

17’715  

7’034  

2’761  

27’510

10’866  

–  

–  

5’766  

4’910  

1’415  

–  

–  

10’866

12’091

–  

–8’461  

–4’371  

–2’761  

–15’593

16’632  

14’164  

4’078  

–  

34’874

Outstanding as of January 1, 2022

–  

16’632  

14’164  

4’078  

Granted

Exercised

11’637  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–10’344  

–10’994  

–4’078  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2022

11’637  

6’288  

3’170  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

34’874

11’637

–25’416

21’095

Average fair value at grant date in CHF

77.82  

106.32  

65.22  

97.76  

118.20  

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

168

Performance share plan settled in Sulzer shares

This long-term incentive plan covers the members of the Executive Committee and the members of 

the Sulzer Management Group. Performance share units (PSU) are granted annually, depending on 

the organizational position of the employee.

Vesting of the PSUs is subject to continuous employment and to the achievement of performance 

conditions over the performance period. Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the 

vesting period. Vesting of the performance share plans (PSP) is based on three performance 

conditions: operational income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items (operational profit) in the last year of the performance period (weighted 25%), average 

operational return on capital employed (operational ROCEA) (weighted 25%), and Sulzer’s total return 

to shareholders (TSR), compared to a selected group of peer companies (weighted 50%).

TSR is measured with a starting value of the volume-weighted average share price (VWAP) over the 

last three months prior to the first year, and an ending value of the VWAP over the last three months 

of the vesting period. The rank of Sulzer’s TSR at the end of the performance period determines the 

effective number of total shares. The exercise price of the PSUs is zero.

Given the spin-off of the Applicator Systems division, the group neutralized the consequences from 

the demerger for the PSP. The number of originally granted PSUs was recalculated to neutralize the 

effect of the spin-off on share price, resulting in the same fair value before and after the spin-off. The 

target values of the Applicator Systems business for the PSP 2019, PSP 2020 and PSP 2021, as 

derived from their respective three-year financial plans, are deducted for the Sulzer group. As a result, 

the target values for the group comprise only what remain as continuing businesses within the group. 

Furthermore, for each non-market performance condition (i.e., operational profit and operational 

ROCEA) of PSP 2019, PSP 2020 and PSP 2021, the performance curve depicting the gradient formed 

from the threshold and cap performance level remains unchanged.

The following inputs were used to determine the fair value of the PSUs at grant date using a Monte 

Carlo simulation:

Grant year

Fair value at grant date

Share price at grant date

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

2018

84.69  

124.95  

78.18  

115.95  

143.62

76.35  

101.12  

76.05  

92.46  

120.60

35.59%  

34.68%  

37.45%  

29.64%  

29.12%

0.39%  

–0.58%  

–0.64%  

–0.57%  

–0.42%

The expected volatility of the Sulzer share and the peer group companies is determined by the 

historical volatility. The zero-yield curves of those countries in which the companies and indices are 

listed were used as the relevant risk-free rates. Historical data was used to arrive at an estimate for 

the correlation between Sulzer and the peer companies. For the TSR calculation, all dividends paid 

during the vesting period are added to the closing share price.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

169

Performance share units – terms of awards

Grant year

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

2018

Number of awards granted

97’930  

90’527  

151’422  

112’857  

74’467

Grant date

Performance period for cumulative operational profit

Performance period for TSR

Fair value at grant date in CHF

April 1, 

2022  

01/22–
12/24  

01/22–
12/24  

April 1, 

2021  

01/21–
12/23  

01/21–
12/23  

June 1, 

2020  

01/20–
12/22  

01/20–
12/22  

April 1, 

2019   July 1, 2018

01/19–
12/21  

01/19–
12/21  

01/18–
12/20

01/18–
12/20

84.69  

124.95  

78.18  

115.95  

143.62

Performance share units

Grant year

2022  

2021  

2020  

2019  

2018  

Total

Outstanding as of January 1, 2021

Granted

APS division spin-off

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2021

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

146’859  

101’764  

63’257  

311’880

90’527  

–  

–  

44’801  

74’680  

53’141  

–  

–  

90’527

172’622

–553  

–3’829  

–2’088  

–63’257  

–69’727

–7’284  

–7’516  

–1’008  

127’491  

210’194  

151’809  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–15’808

489’494

489’494

97’930

–162’797

–14’208

410’419

Outstanding as of January 1, 2022

–  

127’491  

210’194  

151’809  

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

97’930  

–  

–  

–  

–998  

–3’788  

–6’202  

–151’809  

–2’746  

–6’634  

–4’828  

–  

–  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2022

94’186  

117’069  

199’164  

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170

33

Transactions with members of the Board of Directors, 
Executive Committee and related parties

Key management compensation

thousands of CHF

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Short-term 

benefits  

Equity-based 
compensation  

Pension and 
social 
security 

contributions  

Total

Short-term 

benefits  

Equity-based 
compensation  

1’152  

7’065  

905  

283  

2’340  

2’822  

1’649  

11’536  

1’444  

8’186  

1’155  

4’486  

2022  

Pension and 
social 
security 

contributions  

263  

2021

Total

2’862

1’938  

14’609

As of December 31, 2022, there are no outstanding loans with members of the Board of Directors or 

the Executive Committee. No shares have been granted to members of the Board of Directors, the 

Executive Committee, or related persons, with the exception of shares granted in connection with 

equity-settled plans and service awards.

Transactions and balances with associates

In 2022, the group recorded transactions and balances with associates. Sales with associates 

amounted to CHF 0.0 million (2021: CHF 4.8 million), the operating expenses amounted to 

CHF 2.5 million (2021: CHF 0.7 million). As of December 31, 2022, receivables amount to 

CHF 0.0 million (2021: CHF 1.6 million), payables amount to CHF 0.4 million (2021: CHF 0.4 million). 

See 

note 18

 for details on the investments in associates.

Transactions and balances with other related parties

In 2022, sales with other related parties amount to CHF 0.0 million (2021: CHF 0.1 million), no other 

operating income was recorded in 2022 (2021: CHF 3.1 million), operating expenses in relation to 

goods and services purchased amount to CHF 0.0 million (2021: CHF 1.3 million). No Interest income 

(2021: CHF 0.1 million) was recorded with related parties. As of December 31, 2022, trade and other 

receivables with other related parties amount to CHF 0.0 million (2021: CHF 1.9 million). Open 

payables with related parties amounted to CHF 332.0 million (2021: CHF 299.4 million), of which 

CHF 92.9 million (2021: CHF 98.1 million) related to the purchase of treasury shares (see 

note 29

) and 

CHF 239.2 million (2021: CHF 201.1 million) related to outstanding dividend payments (see 

note 25

and 

note 29

). In 2022, there were no other financial assets with related parties (2021: CHF 3.4 million). 

All related party transactions are priced on an arm’s-length basis.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

171

34 Auditor remuneration

Fees for the audit services by KPMG as the appointed group auditor amounted to CHF 4.1 million 

(2021: CHF 3.8 million). Additional services provided by the group auditor amounted to a total of 

CHF 1.9 million (2021: CHF 1.5 million). This amount includes CHF 0.2 million (2021: CHF 0.2 million) 

for tax services and CHF 1.7 million (2021: CHF 1.3 million) for other services.

35 Key accounting policies and valuation methods

35.1 Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS) using the historical cost convention except for:

financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and financial assets at fair value through other 

comprehensive income; and

net position from defined benefit plans, where plan assets are measured at fair value and the 

plan liabilities are measured at the present value of the defined benefit obligations (see note 

35.20 a).

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these 

consolidated financial statements and have been applied consistently by all subsidiaries.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical 

accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying 

the group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity or 

areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are 

disclosed in 

note 7
.

Rounding

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout the consolidated financial statements may not add 

up precisely to the totals provided. All ratios, percentages and variances are calculated using the 

underlying amount rather than the presented rounded amount.

Tables

Within tables, blank fields generally indicate that the field is not applicable or not meaningful, or that 

information is not available as of the relevant date or for the relevant period. Dashes (–) generally 

indicate that the respective figure is zero, while a zero (0.0) indicates that the relevant figure has been 

rounded to zero.

35.2 Change in accounting policies

a) Standards, amendments and interpretations which were effective for 2022

A number of amendments to standards became effective applicable for the current reporting period, 

they did not have a material impact on the group’s financial statements.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

172

b) Standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not yet effective, which the group 
decided not to adopt early in 2022

The following amended standards will become effective from January 1, 2023. The group does not 

expect these to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements: 

Amendments to IAS 12 – Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single 

Transaction. The amendments narrow the scope of the initial recognition exemption to exclude 

transactions that give rise to equal and offsetting temporary differences. Deferred tax assets and 

deferred tax liabilities need to be recorded on temporary differences arising from leases and 

decommissioning liabilities.

Amendments to IAS 1 – Disclosure of Accounting Policies. The amendments clarify when an 

entity is likely to consider accounting policy information to be material to its financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 8 – Definition of Accounting Estimates. The amendments will become 

effective January 1, 2023 and define accounting estimates as monetary amounts in financial 

statements that are subject to measurement uncertainty.

IFRS 17 –Insurance Contracts will become effective January 1, 2023.

The following amended standards will become effective from January 1, 2024. The group is in the 

process of assessing the below amendments and does currently not expect these to have a material 

impact on the consolidated financial statements:

Amendments to IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Non-current 

liabilities with Covenants. 

Amendments to IFRS 16 – Lease liability in a sale and leaseback.

35.3 Consolidation

a) Business combinations

The group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is 

transferred to the group. The consideration transferred in the acquisition is measured at the fair value 

of the assets given, the liabilities incurred to the former owner of the acquiree and the equity interest 

issued by the group. Any goodwill arising is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on a bargain 

purchase is recognized in the income statement immediately. Acquisition-related costs are expensed 

as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. Identifiable assets acquired, and 

liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination, are measured initially at their 

fair values at the acquisition date.

Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the 

contingent consideration is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted 

for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are 

recognized in the income statement.

If share-based payment awards (replacement awards) are required to be exchanged for awards held 

by the acquiree’s employees (acquiree’s awards), then all or a portion of the amount of the acquirer’s 

replacement awards is included in measuring the consideration transferred in the business 

combination. The determination is based on the difference between the market-based measure of the 

replacement awards compared with the market-based measure of the acquiree’s awards and the 

extent to which the replacement awards relate to precombination service.

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b) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities controlled by the group. The group controls an entity when it is exposed 

to, or has the rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 

those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in 

the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on 

which control ceases.

According to the full consolidation method, all assets and liabilities and income and expenses of the 

subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements. The share of non-controlling 

interests in the net assets and results is presented separately as non-controlling interests in the 

consolidated balance sheet and income statement, respectively.

c) Non-controlling interests

The group recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition 

basis, at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the 

acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss 

of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

When the group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the assets and liabilities of the 

subsidiary, and any related non-controlling interest and other components of equity. Any resulting 

gain or loss is recognized in the income statement. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is 

measured at fair value when control is lost.

d) Associates and joint ventures

Associates are those entities in which the group has significant influence, but no control, over the 

financial and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the group holds, 

directly or indirectly, between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Joint ventures are those entities over 

whose activities the group has joint control, established by contractual agreement and requiring 

unanimous consent for strategic, financial and operating decisions. Associates and joint ventures are 

accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost.

e) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

All material intercompany transactions and balances and any unrealized gains arising from 

intercompany transactions are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. 

Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there 

is no evidence of impairment.

35.4 Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the 

Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for allocating resources and 

assessing performance (e.g., operating income) of the operating segments, has been identified as 

chief operating decision maker.

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35.5 Foreign currency translation

a) Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of subsidiaries are measured using the currency of the 

primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The 

consolidated financial statements are presented in Swiss francs (CHF).

The following table shows the major currency exchange rates for the reporting periods 2022 and 

2021:

CHF

EUR 1

GBP 1

USD 1

CNY 100

INR 100

RUB 100

2022  
Average rate   Year-end rate  
0.98  
1.11  
0.92  
13.29  
1.12  
1.28  

1.00  
1.18  
0.95  
14.19  
1.21  
1.36  

2021
Average rate   Year-end rate
1.03

1.08  
1.26  
0.91  
14.17  
1.24  
1.24  

1.23

0.91

14.35

1.23

1.23

b) Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates 

prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the 

settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary 

assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement.

c) Subsidiaries

The results and balance sheet positions of all the subsidiaries (excluding the ones with 

hyperinflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency of 

the group are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

Assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the 

date of that balance sheet.

Income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates.

Translation differences resulting from consolidation are taken to other comprehensive income. In the 

event of a sale or liquidation of foreign subsidiaries, exchange differences that were recorded in other 

comprehensive income are recognized in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale or 

liquidation.

If a loan is made to a group company, and the loan in substance forms part of the group’s investment 

in the group company, translation differences arising from the loan are recognized directly in other 

comprehensive income as foreign currency translation differences. When the group company is sold 

or partially disposed of, and control no longer exists, gains and losses accumulated in equity are 

reclassified to the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

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35.6 Intangible assets

The intangible assets with finite useful life are amortized in line with the expected useful life, usually on 

a straight-line basis. The period of useful life is to be assessed according to business rather than legal 

criteria. This assessment is made at least once a year. An impairment might be required in the event 

of sudden or unforeseen value changes.

a) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of the 

group’s share in the identifiable net asset value of the acquired business at the time of acquisition. 

Any goodwill arising as a result of a business combination is included within intangible assets.

Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test and valued at its original acquisition cost less 

accumulated impairment losses. In cases where circumstances indicate a potential impairment, 

impairment tests are conducted more frequently. Profits and losses arising from the sale of a business 

include the book value of the goodwill assigned to the business being sold.

For impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-

generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill 

arose. Goodwill originating from the acquisition of an associated company is included in the book 

value of the investment in associate. 

b) Trademarks and licenses

Trademarks, licenses and similar rights acquired from third parties are stated at acquisition cost. Such 

assets are amortized over their expected useful life, generally not exceeding 10 years.

c) Research and development

Expenditure on research activities is recognized in the income statement as incurred. Development 

costs for major projects are capitalized only if the expenditure can be measured reliably, the product 

or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the 

group intends and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. 

Otherwise, it is recognized in the income statement as incurred. Subsequently, such assets are 

measured at cost less accumulated amortization (max. five years) and any accumulated impairment 

loss.

d) Computer software

Acquired computer software licenses in control of the group are capitalized on the basis of the cost 

incurred to acquire the specific software and bring to use. These costs are amortized over their 

estimated useful lives (three to max. five years).

e) Customer relationships

As part of a business combination, acquired customer rights are recorded at fair value (cost at the 

time of acquisition). These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally not 

exceeding 15 years.

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35.7 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at acquisition cost less depreciation and impairments. 

Acquisition cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item. 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as 

appropriate, only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will 

flow to the group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the 

replaced item is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income 

statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Land is stated at cost 

and is not depreciated.

The useful lives are as follows: 

Buildings: 20–50 years 

Machinery: 5–15 years 

Technical equipment: 5– 10 years 

Other non-current assets: max. 5 years

35.8 Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Assets with a finite useful life are only tested for impairment if relevant events or changes in 

circumstances indicate that the book value is no longer recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded 

equal to the excess of the carrying value over the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the 

higher of the fair value of the asset less disposal costs and its value in use. The value in use is based 

on the estimated cash flow over a five-year period and the extrapolated projections for subsequent 

years. The results are discounted using an appropriate pretax, long-term interest rate. For the 

purposes of the impairment test, assets are grouped together at the lowest level for which separate 

cash flows can be identified (cash-generating units).

35.9 Lease assets and lease liabilities

The group recognizes lease assets and lease liabilities for most leases (these leases are on-balance-

sheet). However, the group has elected not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases of 

low-value assets and short-term leases. The group recognizes the lease payments associated with 

these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The group presents lease assets and lease liabilities as separate line items in the balance sheet.

The group recognizes lease assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date. The lease 

asset is initially measured at cost and subsequently at cost less any accumulated depreciation and 

impairment losses and adjusted for certain remeasurements. The lease liability is initially measured at 

the present value of the lease payments that are not paid on commencement date, discounted using 

the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the group’s 

incremental borrowing rate. In most cases, the group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the 

discount rate.

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The lease liability is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased 

by lease payments made. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising 

from a change in an index rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under 

a residual value guarantee, changes in the assessment of whether a purchase or extension option is 

reasonably certain to be exercised, or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised.

35.10 Financial assets

Financial assets are classified into the following three categories:

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

For debt instruments, classification depends on the business model for managing the financial assets 

and the contractual terms of the cash flows. For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will 

either be recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income. The group reclassifies debt 

investments when and only when its business model for managing those assets changes. For 

investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the group 

has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment 

at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

Debt instruments

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. A gain or 

loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognized in profit or loss and 

presented within other operating income and expenses or other financial income and expenses, 

depending on the nature of the investment, in the period in which it arises.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)
Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, where 

the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at FVOCI. 

Movements in the carrying amount are taken through other comprehensive income, except for the 

recognition of impairment gains or losses, interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses, 

which are recognized in profit or loss. When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain 

or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or 

loss and recognized in other financial income / (expenses), net. Interest income from these financial 

assets is included in interest income using the effective interest rate method. Foreign exchange gains 

and losses are presented in other financial income / (expenses), net, and impairment expenses are 

presented as separate line items in the statement of profit or loss. 

Financial assets measured at amortized cost
Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely 

payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost. Interest income from these 

financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any gain or loss 

arising on derecognition is recognized directly in profit or loss and presented in other financial 

income / (expenses), net together with foreign exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are 

presented as separate line items in the statement of profit or loss.

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Equity instruments

The group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Where the group’s 

management has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in other 

comprehensive income, there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains and losses to profit 

or loss following the derecognition of the investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be 

recognized in profit or loss as other income when the group’s right to receive payments is established. 

A gain or loss on an equity investment that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognized in profit 

or loss and presented within other operating income and expenses or other financial income and 

expenses, depending on the nature of the investment, in the period in which it arises.

35.11 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

The group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts and other forward 

contracts, to hedge its risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currencies arising from operational 

and financing activities. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on 

the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. 

Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is 

negative.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value on the derivatives during the year that do not 

qualify for hedge accounting are taken directly into profit or loss.

The group applies hedge accounting to secure the foreign currency risks of future cash flows that 

have a high probability of occurrence. These hedges are classified as “cash flow hedgesˮ, whereas 

the hedge instrument is recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and the effective portions are 

booked against “Other comprehensive incomeˮ in the column “Cash flow hedge reserveˮ. If the hedge 

relates to a non-financial transaction that will subsequently be recorded on the balance sheet, the 

adjustments accumulated under “Other comprehensive incomeˮ at that time will be included in the 

initial book value of the asset or liability. In all other cases, the cumulative changes of fair value of the 

hedging instrument that have been recorded in other comprehensive income are included as a charge 

or credit to income when the forecasted transaction is recognized or when hedge accounting is 

discontinued as the criteria are no longer met. In general, the fair value of financial instruments traded 

in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date.

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any 

gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion on the hedge is recognized in 

other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized 

immediately in the income statement. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the 

income statement when the foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold.

At the inception of the transaction, the group documents the relationship between hedging 

instruments and hedged items and its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking 

various hedging transactions. The group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and 

on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly 

effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

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35.12 Offsetting financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there 

is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a 

net basis or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

35.13 Inventories

Raw materials, supplies and consumables are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. 

Finished products and work in progress are stated at the lower of production cost or net realizable 

value. Production cost includes the costs of materials, direct and indirect manufacturing costs, and 

contract-related costs of construction. Inventories are valued by reference to weighted average costs. 

Provisions are made for slow-moving and excess inventories and are recognized in the income 

statement in Costs of goods sold. 

35.14 Trade receivables

Trade and other accounts receivable are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured 

at amortized cost, less allowances for doubtful trade accounts receivable.

The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable is based on expected credit losses. The group 

applies the simplified approach, measuring the loss amount based on lifetime expected credit losses. 

These are based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the trade receivables 

and are adjusted for forward-looking information such as development of gross domestic product 

(GDP) and oil price development.

35.15 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise bills, postal giros and bank accounts, together with other short-

term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. 

Bank overdrafts are reported within borrowings in the current liabilities.

35.16 Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares and 

share options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects. When share capital is 

repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable cost, is net of 

any tax effects and is recognized as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as 

treasury shares and are presented as a deduction from total equity. When treasury shares are sold or 

reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognized as an increase in equity and the resulting 

surplus or deficit on the transaction is transferred to/from retained earnings.

35.17 Trade payables

Trade payables and other payables are stated at face value. The respective value corresponds 

approximately to the amortized cost.

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35.18 Borrowings

Financial debt is stated at fair value when initially recognized, after recognition of transaction costs. In 

subsequent periods, it is valued at amortized cost. Any difference between the amount borrowed 

(after deduction of transaction costs) and the repayment amount is reported in the income statement 

over the duration of the loan using the effective interest method. Borrowings are classified as current 

liabilities unless the group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 

months after the balance sheet date.

35.19 Current and deferred income taxes

The current income tax charge comprises the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable 

income or loss for the year and any adjustment to the tax payable or receivable in respect of previous 

years. It is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 

sheet date in the countries where the group’s subsidiaries and associates operate and generate 

taxable income. The management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to 

situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions 

where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

The liability method is used to provide deferred taxes on all temporary differences between the tax 

base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. 

Deferred taxes are valued by applying tax rates (and regulations) substantially enacted on the balance 

sheet date or any that have essentially been legally approved and are expected to apply at the time 

when the deferred tax asset is realized or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized 

directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognized directly in equity or 

other comprehensive income.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses and deductible temporary differences to the 

extent that it is probable that a taxable profit will be available against which they can be used. 

Deferred tax liabilities arising as a result of temporary differences relating to investments in 

subsidiaries and associated companies are applied, unless the group can control when temporary 

differences are reversed and it is unlikely that they will be reversed in the foreseeable future.

35.20 Employee benefits

a) Defined benefit plans

The group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan by 

estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in the current and prior periods, 

discounting that amount using market yields on high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in 

the currency in which the benefits will be paid and deducting the fair value of any plan assets.

The calculation of defined benefit assets / obligations is performed annually by a qualified actuary 

using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the group, 

the recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any 

future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. To calculate the present 

value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum funding requirements.

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Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the 

return on plan assets (excluding interest income on plan assets), and the effect of the asset ceiling (if 

any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in other comprehensive income. The group 

determines the net interest expense / (income) on the net defined benefit liability / (asset) for the 

period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning 

of the annual period to the then net defined benefit liability / (asset), taking into account any changes 

in the net defined benefit liability/ (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit 

payments. Net interest expenses and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized 

in the income statement.

When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit 

that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognized immediately in the income 

statement. The group recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when 

the settlement occurs.

b) Defined contribution plans

Defined contribution plans are defined as pure savings plans, under which the employer makes 

certain contributions into a separate legal entity (fund) and does not have a legal or an extendible 

(constructive) liability to contribute any additional amounts in the event this entity does not have 

enough funds to pay out benefits. A “constructiveˮ commitment exists when it can be assumed that 

the employer will voluntarily make additional contributions in order not to endanger the relationship 

with its employees. Company contributions to such plans are considered in the income statement as 

personnel expenses.

c) Other employee benefits

Some subsidiaries provide other employee benefits such as early retirement benefits or jubilee gifts to 

their employees. Early retirement benefits are defined as termination benefits for employees accepting 

voluntary redundancy in exchange for those benefits. Jubilee gifts are other long-term benefits. For 

example, in Switzerland, the group makes provisions for jubilee benefits based on a Swiss local 

directive. The provisions are reported in the category “Other employee benefitsˮ.

Short-term benefits are payable within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees 

render the related employee service. In the case of liabilities of a long-term nature, the discounting 

effects and employee turnover are to be taken into consideration.

Obligations to employees arising from restructuring measures are included under the category 

“Restructuring provisionsˮ.

35.21 Share-based compensation

The group operates two equity-settled share-based payment plans. A performance share plan (PSP) 

covers the members of the Executive Committee and the members of the Sulzer Management Group. 

A restricted share plan (RSP) covers the members of the Board of Directors.

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a) Performance share plan (PSP)

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the performance share 

units (PSU) is recognized as a personnel expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total 

amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the 

share units granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (e.g., target profit 

levels). At each balance sheet date, the group reassesses its estimates of the number of share units 

that are expected to vest. It recognizes the impact of the reassessment of original estimates, if any, in 

the income statement, and a corresponding adjustment to equity. The fair value of PSUs granted is 

measured by external valuation specialists based on a Monte Carlo simulation.

The group accrues for the expected cost of social charges in connection with the allotment of shares 

under the PSP. The dilution effect of the share-based awards is considered when calculating diluted 

earnings per share.

b) Restricted share plan (RSP)

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the share units is 

recognized as a personnel expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total amount 

expensed is recognized over the vesting period, which is the period over which the specified service 

conditions are expected to be met.

The fair value of the restricted share units (RSU) granted for services rendered is measured at the 

Sulzer closing share price at grant date, and discounted over the vesting period using a discount rate 

that is based on the yield of Swiss government bonds with maturities matching the duration of the 

vesting period. Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the vesting period. The grant 

date fair value of the RSUs is consequently reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be 

paid during the vesting period.

The group accrues for the expected cost of social charges in connection with the allotment of shares 

under the RSP. The dilutive effect of the share-based awards is considered when calculating diluted 

earnings per share.

35.22 Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of 

past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the 

amount can be reliably estimated. Restructuring provisions comprise lease termination penalties and 

employee termination payments. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses. Where 

there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required is determined 

by considering the class of obligation as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the likelihood of an 

outflow with respect to a single item included in the class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the 

obligation using a pretax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and 

the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is 

recognized as interest expense.

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35.23 Sales

Sales comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and 

rendering of services in the ordinary course of the group’s activities. This includes standard products 

(off the rack) and configured and engineered or tailor-made products. Sales are shown net of value-

added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the group.

The core principle is that sales are recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration to which 

the group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Sales are recognized when (or as) the group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a 

promised good or service (i.e., an asset) to a customer. An asset is transferred when (or as) the 

customer obtains control of that asset.

A customer obtains control of a good or service if it has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain 

substantially all of the remaining benefits from, that good or service (e.g., use, consume, sale, hold). A 

customer could have the future right to direct the use of the asset and obtain substantially all of the 

benefits from it (i.e., upon making a prepayment for a specified product).

There are two methods to recognize sales:

Over time method (OT): s

ales, costs and profit margin recognition in line with the progress of the 

project

Point in time method (PIT): s

ales recognition when the performance obligation is satisfied at a 

certain point in time

The group determines at contract inception whether control of each performance obligation transfers 

to a customer over time or at a point in time. Arrangements where the performance obligations are 

satisfied over time are not limited to services arrangements. The assessment of whether control 

transfers over time or at a point in time is critical to the timing of revenue recognition.

Over time method (OT)

Sales are recognized over time if any of the following is met:

The customer simultaneously receives / consumes as the group performs.

The group creates/enhances an asset and the customer controls it during this process.

The created asset has no alternative use for the group and the group has an enforceable right to 

payment (including reasonable profit margin) for performance completed to date if the customer 

terminates the contract for convenience.

The group has construction contracts without right to payment clauses in cases of termination for 

convenience by the customer. The group applies the point in time method to recognize sales for such 

contracts.

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The over time method is based on the percentage of costs to date compared with the total estimated 

contract costs (cost-to-cost method). In rare cases, other methods, such as a milestones method, 

may be used for a particular project, assuming that the stage of completion can be better estimated 

than by applying the cost-to-cost method. Work progress of sub-suppliers is considered to determine 

the stage of completion. If circumstances arise that may change the original estimates of sales, costs 

or extent of progress toward completion, estimates are revised. These revisions may result in 

increases or decreases in estimated sales or costs, and are reflected in income in the period in which 

the circumstances that give rise to the revision become known by management.

The income statement contains a share of sales, including an estimated share of profit. The balance 

sheet includes the corresponding contract assets if the assets exceed the advance payments from 

the customer of the project. When it appears probable that the total costs of an order will exceed the 

expected income, the total amount of expected loss is recognized immediately in the income 

statement.

Point in time method (PIT)

A performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time if none of the criteria for satisfying a 

performance obligation over time is met. Sales are recognized when (or as) the customer obtains 

control of that asset (depending on international commercial terms). The following points indicate that 

a customer has obtained control of an asset:

The entity has a present right to payment

The customer has legal title

The customer has physical possession

The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership

The customer has accepted the asset

For contracts applying the point in time method, the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership 

(depending on international commercial terms) typically depicts the transfer in control most 

appropriately.

Contract classification per division

Sales are measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Sales are 

recognized over time if any of the conditions above is met. If none of the criteria for satisfying a 

performance obligation over time is met, sales are recognized at a point in time.

The following table provides information about the nature and timing of the satisfaction of 

performance obligations in contracts with customers, and the related revenue recognition method.

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Contract classification

  Characteristics

Typical sales recognition method

Created asset has no alternative use 
for the group and the group has an 
enforceable right to payment (including 
reasonable profit margin) for 
performance up to date if the customer 
terminates the contract for 
convenience

Created asset has alternative use for 
the group or the group has no 
enforceable right to payment (including 
reasonable profit margin) for 
performance up to date if the customer 
terminates the contract for 
convenience

Flow Equipment

Standard business

Configured business

Engineered business
Services

Repair

Parts

Services
Chemtech

  n/a

  OT

  OT

  OT

  PIT

  PIT

  PIT

  PIT

  OT

  PIT

  — Standard products made to stock
  — New pumps
  — Spare parts
  — Preconfigured products

— Assembled and packaged on 
customer order

  — Highly customized products

— Engineered to order according to 
customer’s specifications

  — Turbo
  — Electromechanical
  — Pumps
  — Gas turbine components
  — Coils
  — Pump spares
  — Retrofits

— Off-the-shelf articles or 
manufactured on customer order
— Others (tool container, remote 
monitoring, other spare parts)

  — Overhaul / field service
  — Site setup
  — Disassembly / reassembly
  — Installation / commissioning
  — Technical support
  — Refurb / retrofit
  — Relocation

— Long-term service agreement 
(LTSA) / long-term parts agreement 
(LTPA)
— Customized services according to 
customer’s specifications

  OT

— Off-the-shelf articles of stock 
materials

PIT or OT for field services (asset that 
the customer controls)

Rush orders

  — Articles purchased for sale

  n/a

  PIT

Components

— Standard configured to customer’s 
requirements
— Tailor-made to customer’s 
requirements

  — Replacement of components
  — Standard mechanical engineering
  — Supervision
  — Installation workforce

— Combined order for Separation 
Technology (ST) and Tower Field 
Services (TFS)

  — Studies
  — Engineering
  — Site project management
  — Supervision
  — Key equipment
  — Installation

Services / engineered solutions

— Procurement of equipment, spare 
parts

  OT

report.sulzer.com/ar22

  OT

  PIT

  PIT or
  OT for certain service contracts

where the customer simultaneously 
receives the service

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

186

Disaggregation of sales

In the segment information (

note 3

), sales are disaggregated by:

Divisions (group’s reportable segments)

Timing of sales recognition (sales recognition method: over time, point in time) and divisions

Market segments and divisions

Geographical regions and divisions

Payment terms

The group’s general terms and conditions of supply require payments within 30 days after the invoice 

date.

If the group’s general terms and conditions apply for a contract, the group is entitled to issue the 

invoices as follows: for one-third of the contract value within five days after effective date (date when 

the purchase order has been accepted by the supplier, or the date of the latest signing), for one-third 

after expiration of half of the delivery time, and for one-third within 45 days prior to delivery. Payments 

for prices calculated on a time basis are invoiced on a biweekly basis or after completion of the scope 

of supply, whichever occurs first.

Other payment terms may apply if otherwise defined in the customer contract, the purchase order, the 

respective change order or the quotation.

Variable considerations

If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount (e.g., liquidated damages, early 

payment discount, volume discounts), the group estimates the amount of consideration to which the 

group will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to a customer. The 

amount of the variable consideration is estimated by using either of the following methods, depending 

on which method the group expects will better predict the amount of consideration to which it will be 

entitled: the expected value method or the most likely amount method. The method selected is 

applied consistently throughout the contract and to similar types of contracts when estimating the 

effect of uncertainty on the amount of variable consideration to which the group is entitled.

The group’s general terms and conditions of supply foresee the following warranty periods. Except in 

cases where the scope of supply is limited to services only, the warranty period ends on the earliest of 

the dates below:

After 12 months from the initial operation of the scope of supply

After 18 months from delivery of the scope of supply

In the event that delivery is delayed or impeded for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, after 

18 months from the date of the supplier’s notification that the scope of supply is ready for 

dispatch

Where the scope of supply is limited to services only, the warranty period ends six months after 

completion of such services.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

187

If the group fails to meet the delivery date for more than two calendar weeks due to reasons for which 

the group is directly responsible, and provided that the purchase order expressly provides liquidated 

damages for such failure, the purchaser is entitled to demand that the group pay liquidated damages 

at the rate stated in the purchase order.

The group’s obligation for warranties, liquidated damages and other obligations is accounted for as a 

variable consideration in the sales and recognized as a provision.

Allocation of the transaction price

To allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone, selling-

price basis, the group determines the stand-alone selling price at contract inception of the distinct 

good or service underlying each performance obligation in the contract and allocates the transaction 

price in proportion to those stand-alone selling prices. If the stand-alone selling price is not directly 

observable, then the group estimates the amount with the expected cost-plus-margin method.

35.24 Assets and disposal groups held for sale

A non-current asset or a group of assets is classified as “held for saleˮ if its carrying amount will be 

recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. For this to be the 

case, the management must be committed to sell the assets, the assets must be actively marketed for 

sale, and the sale must be expected to be completed within one year. A non-current asset or a group 

of assets classified as “held for saleˮ will be measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value 

less selling cost. Assets classified as held for sale are no longer amortized or depreciated. 

35.25 Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution to the shareholders of Sulzer Ltd is resolved upon decision at the Annual General 

Meeting and will be paid in the same reporting period.

35.26 Discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the group’s business that can be clearly distinguished 

from the rest of the group and:

represents a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations;

is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographic 

area of operations; or

is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of disposal or when the operation 

meets the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale.

When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative statement of profit or 

loss is re-presented as if the operation had been discontinued from the start of the comparative year.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

188

36 Subsequent events after the balance sheet date

On February 3, 2023, Sulzer signed an agreement to sell its business in Russia to a local third party. 

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals by the Russian Government Subcommission for 

Control over Foreign Investments and the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS). The closing of the 

transaction is expected in the following months. The disposal group classified as held for sale was 

measured based on the expected sales proceeds.

The Board of Directors authorized these consolidated financial statements for issue on February 16, 

2023. They are subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on April 19, 

2023. At the time when these consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue, the Board 

of Directors and the Executive Committee were not aware of any events that would materially affect 

these financial statements.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

189

37 Major subsidiaries

December 31, 2022

  Subsidiary

Europe

Switzerland   Sulzer Chemtech AG, Winterthur
Sulzer Markets and Technology 
AG, Winterthur

Sulzer Management AG, 
Winterthur

  Tefag AG, Winterthur

Sulzer International AG, 
Winterthur

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Belgium N.V./S.A.,Anderlecht

Ensival Moret Belgium SA, 
Thimister-Clermont

Belgium

Czech 
Republic

Sulzer Chemtech Czech Republic 
s.r.o., Brno

Germany

Denmark

Finland

France

UK

Ireland

Italy

Norway

Sulzer Pumpen (Deutschland) 
GmbH, Bruchsal

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Germany GmbH, Bonn

  Sulzer Chemtech GmbH, Krefeld  
  Nordic Water GmbH, Neuss
Sulzer Pumps Denmark A/S, 
Farum

  Sulzer Pumps Finland Oy, Kotka
Sulzer Pompes France SASU, 
Buchelay

Sulzer Ensival Moret France 
SASU, Saint-Quentin

  Sulzer Pumps (UK) Ltd., Leeds
Sulzer Chemtech (UK) Ltd., 
Stockton on Tees

Sulzer Electro Mechanical 
Services (UK) Ltd., Birmingham  

  Sulzer (UK) Holdings Ltd., Leeds
  Alba Power Ltd., Aberdeen

Sulzer Pump Solutions Ireland 
Ltd., Wexford

Sulzer Finance (Ireland) Limited, 
Wexford

Sulzer Italy S.r.l., Casalecchio di 
Reno

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Norway A/S, Sandvika

Sulzer Pumps Norway A/S, Klepp 
Stasjon

Nordic Water Products A/S, 
Straume

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Netherlands B.V., Maastricht-
Airport

The 
Netherlands  

Sulzer Chemtech Nederland B.V., 
Breda

Sulzer Turbo Services Venlo B.V., 
Lomm

Sulzer Netherlands Holding B.V., 
Lomm

  Sulzer Capital B.V., Lomm

Sulzer Austria GmbH, Wiener 
Neudorf

Sulzer GTC Technology Romania 
S.R.L., Bucharest

  AO Sulzer Pumps, St. Petersburg  
  Sulzer Pumps Rus LLC, Moscow  
Sulzer Turbo Services Rus LLC, 
Moscow

  Sulzer Chemtech LLC, Serpukhov  

Austria

Romania

Russia

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer 
ownership and 
voting rights  

Registered capital 
(including paid-in 
capital in the USA 
and Canada)  

Direct 
participation 
by Sulzer 
Ltd  

Research and 
development  

Production 
and 
engineering  

Sales  

Service

100%   CHF 10’000’000  

100%  

CHF 4’000’000  

100%  
100%  

CHF 500’000  
CHF 500’000  

100%  

CHF 100’000  

100%  

EUR 123’947  

100%  

EUR 7’400’000  

100%   CZK 28’053’000  

100%  

EUR 3’000’000  

100%  
100%  
100%  

EUR 300’000  
EUR 300’000  
EUR 25’565  

100%  
100%  

DKK 501’000  
EUR 16’000’000  

100%  

EUR 6’600’000  

100%  
100%  

EUR 10’000’000  
GBP 9’610’000  

100%  

GBP 100’000  

100%  
100%  
100%  

GBP 48’756  
GBP 6’100’000  
GBP 1  

100%  

EUR 2’222’500  

100%  

EUR 100  

100%  

EUR 600’000  

100%  

NOK 502’000  

100%  

NOK 500’000  

100%  

NOK 150’000  

100%  

EUR 45’378  

100%  

EUR 1’134’451  

100%  

EUR 443’940  

100%  
100%  

EUR 10’010’260  
EUR 50’000  

100%  

EUR 350’000  

100%  
RON 1’345’070  
100%   RUB 24’000’000  
RUB 6’000’600  
100%  

100%   RUB 14’705’882  
100%   RUB 55’500’000  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

190

Sulzer Pumps Sweden AB, 
Vadstena

Nordic Water Products AB, 
Mölndal

  Sulzer Pumps Spain S.A., Madrid  
Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Spain 
S.A.U., Rivas Vaciamadrid

Sulzer Pumps (Canada) Inc., 
Burnaby

Sulzer Chemtech Canada Inc., 
Edmonton

Sulzer Rotating Equipment 
Services (Canada) Ltd., Edmonton  
JWC Environmental Canada ULC, 
Burnaby

Sulzer Pumps (US) Inc., Houston, 
Texas

Sulzer Pumps Solutions Inc., 
Easley, South Carolina

Sulzer Pump Services (US) Inc., 
Houston, Texas

Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc., Tulsa, 
Oklahoma

Sulzer Turbo Services Houston 
Inc., La Porte, Texas

Sulzer Turbo Services New 
Orleans Inc., Belle Chasse, 
Louisiana

Sulzer Electro-Mechanical 
Services (US) Inc., Pasadena, 
Texas

Sulzer US Holding Inc., Houston, 
Texas

JWC Environmental Inc., Santa 
Ana, California

Sulzer GTC Technology US Inc., 
Houston, Texas

Sulzer Pumps México, S.A. de 
C.V., Cuautitlán Izcalli

Sulzer Chemtech, S. de R.L. de 
C.V., Cuautitlán Izcalli

Sweden

Spain

North 
America

Canada

USA

Mexico

Central and 
South 
America

Argentina

Sulzer Turbo Services Argentina 
S.A., Buenos Aires

Brazil

  Sulzer Brasil S.A., Jundiaí

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Brasil 
Ltda., Jundiaí

Sulzer Bombas Chile Ltda., 
Vitacura

Sulzer Pumps Colombia S.A.S., 
Cota

Chile

Colombia

Africa

South Africa  

Sulzer Pumps (South Africa) (Pty) 
Ltd., Elandsfontein

Sulzer (South Africa) Holdings 
(Pty) Ltd., Elandsfontein

Sulzer Maroc S.A.R.L. A.U., 
Nouaceur

Sulzer Pumps (Nigeria) Ltd., 
Lagos

  Sulzer Zambia Ltd., Chingola

Morocco

Nigeria

Zambia

Middle East    

United Arab 
Emirates

Sulzer Pumps Middle East FZCO, 
Dubai

Sulzer Saudi Pump Company 
Limited, Riyadh

Sulzer Chemtech Middle East 
W.L.L., Al Seef

Saudi Arabia  

Bahrain

Asia

India

report.sulzer.com/ar22

•

•

•

•

100%  

SEK 3’000’000  

100%  
100%  

SEK 200’000  
EUR 1’750’497  

100%  

EUR 2’000’000  

100%  

CAD 2’771’588  

100%  

CAD 1’000’000  

100%  

CAD 7’000’000  

100%  

CAD 1’832’816  

100%   USD 40’381’108  

100%   USD 25’589’260  

100%  

USD 1’000  

100%   USD 47’895’000  

100%   USD 18’840’000  

100%  

USD 4’006’122  

100%   USD 12’461’286  

100%   USD 310’335’340  

•

100%   USD 220’818’520  

100%  

USD 1  

100%   MXN 4’887’413  

100%   MXN 231’345’500  

100%  
100%  

ARS 9’730’091  
BRL 81’789’432  

100%  

BRL 37’966’785  

100%   CLP 46’400’000  
COP 
7’142’000’000  

100%  

75%   ZAR 100’450’000  

100%  

ZAR 16’476  

100%   MAD 3’380’000  

100%  
NGN 5’000’000  
100%   ZMK 15’000’000  

100%  

AED 500’000  

75%  

SAR 44’617’000  

100%  

BHD 50’000  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Sulzer Pumps India Pvt. Ltd., Navi 
Mumbai

100%  

INR 24’893’500  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the consolidated financial statements

191

  Sulzer India Pvt. Ltd., Pune

100%  

INR 34’500’000  

100%  

95%  
60%  
100%  

INR 100’000  
IDR 
28’234’800’000  
JPY 30’000’000  
JPY 30’000’000  

100%   MYR 1’000’000  

SGD 1’000’000  
100%  
100%   KRW 222’440’000  
KRW 
4’870’000’000  

100%  

100%  

THB 25’000’000  

100%   CHF 21’290’000  

100%   CNY 282’069’324  

100%  

USD 5’760’000  

100%   CNY 54’267’608  

100%  

USD 1’550’000  

100%  

USD 150’000  

100%  

USD 800’000  

100%  

AUD 5’308’890  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

100%   AUD 34’820’100  

•

Sulzer Tech India Pvt. Ltd., Navi 
Mumbai

Indonesia

Japan

  PT. Sulzer Indonesia, Purwakarta  
  Sulzer Daiichi K.K., Tokyo
  Sulzer Japan Ltd., Tokyo

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Selangor 
Darul Ehsan

Sulzer Singapore Pte. Ltd., 
Singapore

Malaysia

Singapore

South Korea   Sulzer Korea Ltd., Seoul

Thailand

People’s 
Republic of 
China

Sulzer GTC Technology Korea Co. 
Ltd., Seoul

Sulzer (Thailand) Co., Ltd., 
Rayong

Sulzer Dalian Pumps & 
Compressors Ltd., Dalian

Sulzer Pumps Suzhou Ltd., 
Suzhou

Sulzer Pump Solutions (Kunshan) 
Co., Ltd., Kunshan

Sulzer Shanghai Eng. & Mach. 
Works Ltd., Shanghai

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Shanghai Co. Ltd., Shanghai

Sulzer GTC (Beijing) Technology 
Inc., Beijing

Nordic Water Products (Beijing) 
Co., Ltd., Beijing

Australia

  Sulzer Australia Pty Ltd., Brisbane  
Sulzer Australia Holding Pty Ltd., 
Brendale

report.sulzer.com/ar22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated financial statements – Auditor’s report

192

Report on the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Sulzer Ltd and its subsidiaries (the Group), 

which comprise the “

Consolidated balance sheet

” as at December 31, 2022 and the “

Consolidated 

income statement Consolidated statement of comprehensive income Consolidated statement of 

”, “

”, “

changes in equity

” and “

Consolidated statement of cash flows

” for the year then ended, and “

Notes 

to the consolidated financial statements

”, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated 

financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2022, and its consolidated financial performance 

and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law, International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and 

Swiss Standards on Auditing (SA-CH). Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards are 

further described in the “Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial 

Statements” section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the 

provisions of Swiss law, together with the requirements of the Swiss audit profession, as well as the 

International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional 

Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code), and we have fulfilled our 

other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 

for our opinion.

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated financial statements – Auditor’s report

193

Key Audit Matters

report.sulzer.com/ar22

Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated financial statements – Auditor’s report

194

Customer contracts – existence and accuracy of revenue, valuation of contract assets, work in 
progress (WIP), trade accounts receivable and accuracy of contract liabilities

Key Audit Matter
As per December 31, 2022, revenue from customer 

Our response
Our procedures included, among others, obtaining an 

contracts amounts to CHF 3’179.9 million, contract 

understanding of the project execution processes and 

assets amount to CHF 466.1 million, contract liabilities to 

relevant controls relating to the accounting for customer 

CHF 382.3 million, the balance of work in progress (WIP) 

contracts.

amounts to CHF 250.3 million and trade accounts 

receivable amount to CHF 585.5 million.

For the revenue recognized throughout the year, we 

Under IFRS 15 revenue is recognised when a 

management and performed procedures to gain sufficient 

performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control 

audit evidence on the accuracy of the accounting for 

over a promised good or service.

customer contracts and related financial statement 

tested selected key controls, including results reviews by 

Revenue and related costs from long-term customer 

captions.

orders (construction and service contracts) are 

These procedures included reading significant new 

recognized over time (OT), provided they fulfill the criteria 

contracts to understand the terms and conditions and 

of International Financial Reporting Standards, specifically 

their impact on revenue recognition. We performed 

having the right to payment in case of termination for 

enquiries with management to understand their project 

convenience. The OT method allows recognizing 

risk assessments and inspected meeting minutes from 

revenues by reference to the stage of completion of the 

project reviews performed by management to identify 

contract. The application of the OT method is complex 

relevant changes in their assessments and estimates. We 

and requires judgments by management when estimating 

challenged these assessments and estimates for OT 

the stage of completion, total project costs and the costs 

projects including comparing estimated project financials 

to complete the work. Incorrect assumptions and 

between reporting periods and assessed the historical 

estimates can lead to revenue being recognized in the 

accuracy of these estimates.

wrong reporting period or in amounts inadequate to the 

actual stage of completion, and therefore to an incorrect 

On a sample basis, we reconciled revenue to the 

result for the period.

supporting documentation, validated estimates of costs 

to complete, tested the mathematical accuracy of 

During order fulfillment, contractual obligations may need 

calculations and the adequacy of project accounting. We 

to be reassessed. In addition, change orders or 

also examined costs included within contract assets on a 

cancelations have to be considered. As a result, total 

sample basis by verifying the amounts back to source 

estimated project costs may exceed total contract 

documentation and tested their recoverability through 

revenues and therefore require write-offs of contract 

comparing the net realizable values as per the 

assets, receivables and the immediate recognition of the 

agreements with estimated cost to complete.

expected loss as a provision.

We further performed testing for PIT projects on a sample 

Regarding the projects recognized at a point in time (PIT), 

basis to confirm the appropriate application of revenue 

the risks include inappropriate revenue recognition from 

recognition policies and to verify valuation of WIP 

revenue being recorded in the wrong accounting period 

balances. This included reconciling accounting entries to 

or at amounts not justified as well as overstated WIP that 

supporting documentation. When doing this, we 

requires impairment adjustments.

specifically put emphasis on those transactions occurring 

close before or after the balance sheet date to obtain 

sufficient evidence over the accuracy of cut-off.

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For further information on customer contracts – accuracy of revenue recognition, valuation of contract 

assets, work in progress (WIP), trade accounts receivable and accuracy of contract liabilities refer to 

the following:

Note 20

 to the consolidated financial statements

Note 21

 to the consolidated financial statements

Note 22

 to the consolidated financial statements

Accounting for warranties and other costs to fulfil contract obligations

Key Audit Matter
As per December 31, 2022, provisions in the amount of 

Our response
Based on our knowledge gained through contract and 

CHF 92.3 million are held on the balance sheet to cover 

project reviews, we assessed the need for and the 

expected costs arising from product warranties. 

accuracy of provisions and deductions in revenue for 

Additional expected costs to fulfil contract obligations 

variable consideration for expected liquidated damages.

and for onerous contracts are recorded as other 

provisions.

We further challenged management’s contract risk 

assessments by enquiries, inspection of meeting minutes 

Sulzer is exposed to claims from customers for not 

and review of correspondence with customers where 

meeting contractual obligations. Remedying measures, 

available.

addressing technical shortcomings or settlement 

negotiations with clients may take several months and 

Where milestones or contract specifications were not 

cause additional costs. The assessment of these costs to 

met, we challenged the recognition and appropriateness 

satisfy order related obligations contains management 

of variable consideration and provisions by recalculating 

assumptions with a higher risk of material misjudgment.

the amounts, obtaining written management statements 

and evidence from supporting documents such as 

correspondence with clients or legal assessments of 

external counsels where available.

We also took into account the historical accuracy of 

estimates made by management through retrospective 

reviews. In order to gain a complete and clear 

understanding of legal matters we further performed 

enquiry procedures with the office of Sulzer’s General 

Counsel and reviewed relevant documents.

For further information on accounting for warranties and other cost to fulfil contract obligations refer 

to the following:

Note 28

 to the consolidated financial statements

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Valuation of goodwill

Key Audit Matter
As per December 31, 2022, Sulzer’s balance sheet 

Our response
As a first step, we assessed the appropriateness of the 

included goodwill amounting to CHF 676.9 million.

CGUs identified. Our audit procedures then included, 

amongst others, evaluating the methodical and 

Goodwill has to be assessed for impairment on a yearly 

mathematical accuracy of the model used for the 

basis by management using a discounted cash flow 

impairment testing, the appropriateness of the 

model to individually determine the value in use of 

assumptions, and the methodology used by management 

goodwill balances. This requires the use of a number of 

to prepare its cash flow forecasts. We involved our own 

key assumptions and judgments, including the estimated 

valuation specialists to support our procedures.

future cash flows, long-term growth rates, profitability 

levels and discount rates applied as well as the 

We thereby focused on those CGUs with the most 

determination of the cash generating units (CGUs) for the 

significant goodwill balances or where reasonably 

goodwill impairment testing.

possible changes of key assumptions would lead to an 

impairment and performed the following procedures 

The goodwill balance is significant compared to total 

amongst others:

assets and there are a number of judgments involved in 

performing the impairment test. Furthermore, the 

economic conditions continue to be challenging in some 

of Sulzer’s key markets, specifically the oil and gas 

sector. With a significant share in this market segment, 

Sulzer’s financial performance is affected by the volatile 

oil prices, triggered by political tensions, and the resulting 

subdued demand and price pressure from its oil and gas 

customers. 

gaining an understanding and assessing the 

reasonableness of business plans by comparing 

them to prior year’s assumptions;

comparing business plan data against budgets and 

three-year plans as approved by management and 

board of directors;

recalculating the value in use calculations;

challenging the robustness of the key assumptions 

used to determine the value in use, including the 

allocation of goodwill to the adequate CGUs, cash 

flow forecasts, long-term growth rates and the 

discount rates based on our understanding of the 

commercial prospects of the related CGUs and by 

comparing them with publicly available data, where 

possible;

conducting sensitivity analysis, taking into account 

the historical forecasting accuracy; and

comparing the sum of calculated values in use to the 

market capitalization of the Group.

We also considered the appropriateness of disclosures in 

the consolidated financial statements.

For further information on valuation of goodwill refer to the following:

Note 15

 to the consolidated financial statements

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Other Information in the Annual Report

The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information in the annual report. The other 

information comprises the information included in the annual report, but does not include the 

consolidated financial statements, the standalone financial statements of the company, the 

remuneration report, and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information in the 

annual report and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 

other information in the annual report and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is 

materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the 

audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 

other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Board of Directors’ Responsibilities for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that 

give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRS and the provisions of Swiss law, and for such 

internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of 

consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 

error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing 

the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 

concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends 

to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 

statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue 

an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is 

not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and SA-CH will always 

detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 

considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 

the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and SA-CH, we exercise professional 

judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 

whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, 

and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one 

resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 

misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

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Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 

opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 

accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 

related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue 

as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw 

attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements 

or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the 

audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or 

conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 

including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the 

underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial 

statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group 

audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other 

matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any 

significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have 

complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and communicate with them all 

relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and 

where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine 

those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of 

the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s 

report, unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely 

rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because 

the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 

benefits of such communication.

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Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In accordance with article 728a para. 1 item 3 CO and PS-CH 890, we confirm that an internal control 

system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial statements 

according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.

KPMG AG

Rolf Hauenstein

Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 16, 2023

Simon Niklaus

Licensed Audit Expert

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, CH-8036 Zurich
© 2023 KPMG AG, a Swiss corporation, is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member of the KPMG global organization of independent member 
firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

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200

Supplementary information

Alternative performance measures (APM)

The financial information included in this report includes certain alternative performance measures 

(APMs), which are not accounting measures as defined by IFRS. These APMs should not be used 

instead of, or considered as alternatives to, the group’s consolidated financial results based on IFRS. 

These APMs may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies. All 

APMs presented relate to the performance of the current reporting period and comparative periods.

Definition of alternative performance measures (APM)

Order intake from continuing operations

Order intake from continuing operations includes all registered orders from continuing operations of 

the period that will be recorded or have already been recorded as sales. The reported value of an 

order corresponds to the undiscounted value of sales that the group expects to recognize following 

delivery of goods or services subject to the order, less any trade discounts and excluding value added 

or sales tax. Adjustments, corrections and cancellations resulting from updating the order backlog are 

respectively included in the amount of the order intake.

Order intake gross margin from continuing operations

The order intake gross margin from continuing operations is defined as the expected gross profit of 

order intake from continuing operations divided by order intake from continuing operations.

Order backlog from continuing operations

Order backlog from continuing operations represents the undiscounted value of sales the group 

expects to generate from orders from continuing operations on hand at the end of the reporting 

period.

Return on sales (ROS) from continuing operations

ROS from continuing operations measures the profitability from continuing operations relative to sales 

from continuing operations. ROS from continuing operations is calculated by dividing EBIT from 

continuing operations by sales from continuing operations.

Operational profit from continuing operations

Operational profit from continuing operations is used to determine the profitability of the business, 

without considering impairments, restructuring expenses and other non-operational items and before 

interest, taxes and amortization. Other non-operational items include significant acquisition-related 

expenses, gains and losses from sale of businesses or real estate, and certain non-operational items 

that are non-recurring or do not occur in similar magnitude.

Operational profitability from continuing operations

Operational profitability from continuing operations measures how the group turns sales from 

continuing operations into operating profits. Operational profitability is calculated by dividing 

operational profit from continuing operations by sales from continuing operations.

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Operational ROCEA (operational return on capital employed)

Operational ROCEA measures how the group generates operational profits from its capital employed. 

Operational ROCEA is calculated by dividing operational profit by average capital employed.

Capital employed

Capital employed refers to the amount of capital investment the group uses to operate and provides 

an indication of how the group is investing its money. For the calculation of the capital employed, 

please refer to the reconciliation statement below.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)

The group uses EBITDA to determine the net debt/EBITDA ratio. EBITDA is defined as EBIT before 

depreciation, amortization and impairment.

Core net income from continuing operations

Core net income from continuing operations is used to determine the dividend proposal. Sulzer’s 

long-term target is to maintain a dividend payout ratio of approximately 40% to 70% of core net 

income from continuing operations with due consideration to liquidity and funding requirements as 

well as continuity. Core net income from continuing operations is defined as net income from 

continuing operations before tax-adjusted effects on restructuring, amortization, impairments and 

non-operational items.

Free cash flow (FCF) and Free cash flow (FCF) from continuing operations

FCF is used to assess the group’s ability to generate the cash required to conduct and maintain its 

operations. It also indicates the group’s ability to generate cash to finance dividend payments, repay 

debt and to undertake merger and acquisition activities. FCF is calculated based on the IFRS cash 

flow from operating activities and adjusted for capital expenditures (investments in property, plant and 

equipment and intangible assets). Free cash flow (FCF) from continuing operations excludes the Free 

cash flow (FCF) from discontinued operations. 

Net debt

Net debt is used to monitor the group’s overall short- and long-term liquidity. Net debt is calculated 

as the sum of total current and non-current borrowings and lease liabilities less cash and cash 

equivalents and current financial assets.

Net debt/EBITDA ratio

Net debt/EBITDA is a ratio measuring the amount of income generated and available to pay down 

debt before covering interest, taxes, depreciations and amortization expenses. The net debt/EBITDA 

ratio is used as a measurement of leverage. It is calculated as net debt divided by EBITDA.

Gearing ratio (borrowings-to-equity ratio)

The gearing ratio compares the borrowings and lease liabilities relative to the equity. The gearing ratio 

represents the group’s leverage, comparing how much of the business’s funding comes from 

borrowed funds (lenders) versus company owners (shareholders). The gearing ratio is defined as 

borrowings and lease liabilities divided by equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd.

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202

Currency-adjusted growth

Certain percentage changes in the financial review and the business review divisions have been 

calculated using constant exchange rates, which allow for an assessment of the group’s financial 

performance with the effects of exchange rate fluctuations eliminated. The currency-adjusted growth 

is calculated by applying the previous year’s exchange rates for the current year and calculating the 

growth without currency effects.

Organic growth

Organic growth measures changes with the same period in the previous year after adjusting for 

effects arising from acquisitions, divestments and foreign exchange differences.

The impact of the organic growth is determined as follows:

Currency-adjusted growth as described above

For the current-year acquisitions, by deducting the currency-adjusted amount generated during 

the current-year by the acquired entities

For prior-year acquisitions, by deducting the currency-adjusted amount generated over the 

months during which the acquired entities were not consolidated in the previous year

For current-year disposals, by adding the currency-adjusted amount generated by the divested 

entities in the previous year over the months during which those entities were no longer 

consolidated in the current year

For the prior-year disposals, by adding for the current year the currency-adjusted amount 

generated in the previous year by the divested entities

Reconciliation statements for alternative performance 
measures (APM)

For reconciliation statements of operational profit, operational profitability, core net income and free 

cash flow, please refer to the section “

Financial review

”, for EBITDA, net debt and gearing ratio to 

note 8

 and for operational ROCEA to the table below.

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203

Operational ROCEA reconciliation statement

millions of CHF

Total assets

./. Other intangible assets

./. Cash and cash equivalents

./. Current financial assets

./. Total current and non-current income and deferred tax assets and liabilities

./. Total non-current liabilities

./. Total current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings

Liability related to the purchase of treasury shares

Outstanding dividend payments

Adjustment for average calculation and currency translation differences

Average capital employed from continuing operations

Operational profit from continuing operations

Average capital employed

Operational ROCEA

2022  

4’620.2  

–234.3  

–1’196.3  

–14.0  

–92.4  

–1’348.6  

–2’217.5  

1’043.9  

311.4  

92.9  

239.2  

135.8  

1’340.2  

317.6  

1’340.2  

23.7%  

2021

5’010.4

–276.5

–1’505.4

–26.7

–64.3

–1’568.8

–2’162.3

1’164.6

345.5

98.1

201.1

74.4

1’290.1

293.3

1’290.1

22.7%

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Five-year summaries of key financial data

Key figures from consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows

millions of CHF

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

Order intake from continuing operations

3’425.4  

3’167.6  

3’049.2  

3’322.1  

3’081.9

Currency-adjusted growth order intake from continuing operations

9.2%  

3.6%  

–1.1%  

n/a  

Order intake gross margin from continuing operations

33.5%  

33.1%  

32.6%  

32.0%  

Order backlog from continuing operations

1’844.7  

1’724.1  

1’676.8  

1’731.8  

Sales from continuing operations

3’179.9  

3’155.3  

2’967.8  

3’307.9  

Operating income (EBIT) from continuing operations

Operational profit from continuing operations

Operational profitability from continuing operations

111.4  

317.6  

10.0%  

221.8  

293.3  

9.3%  

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

28.6  

1’416.7  

– in percentage of equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd 
(ROE)

2.8%  

111.2%  

Basic earnings per share (in CHF)

Depreciation from continuing operations

Amortization from continuing operations

Impairments of tangible and intangible assets from continuing 
operations

Research and development expenses from continuing operations

0.85  

–76.0  

–38.8  

–44.5  

–66.4  

41.93  

–81.0  

–50.2  

–4.2  

–64.4  

132.5  

255.0  

8.6%  

83.6  

6.0%  

2.46  

–78.3  

–46.7  

–9.4  

–63.8  

202.8  

283.1  

8.6%  

154.0  

9.7%  

4.52  

–79.7  

–45.5  

–3.1  

–62.7  

n/a

31.4%

1’721.9

2’911.0

120.9

226.8

7.8%

113.7

7.0%

3.56

–52.2

–49.4

–0.7

–63.9

Personnel expenses from continuing operations

–1’002.4  

–1’018.1  

–1’014.4  

–1’078.7  

–1’241.9

Capital expenditure (incl. lease assets) from continuing operations

–100.0  

–119.4  

Free cash flow (FCF) from continuing operations

58.3  

210.5  

–88.0  

262.6  

–100.8  

156.8  

–64.7

115.5

FCF conversion (free cash flow/net income) from continuing 
operations

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) from continuing 
operations as of December 31

2.08  

1.50  

3.67  

1.18  

1.80

12’868  

13’816  

13’197  

14’685  

13’708

1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to discontinued operations (details are described in note 5).

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Key figures from consolidated balance sheet

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019  

2018

1’584.2  

1’834.2  

2’279.9  

2’172.0  

2’057.7

– thereof property, plant and equipment

360.5  

394.0  

545.3  

544.4  

Current assets

3’036.0  

3’176.2  

3’087.1  

2’937.5  

– thereof cash and cash equivalents

1’196.3  

1’505.4  

1’123.2  

1’035.5  

Total assets

4’620.2  

5’010.4  

5’367.0  

5’109.5  

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

1’024.3  

1’273.8  

1’404.3  

1’580.7  

527.0

2’840.6

1’095.2

4’898.3

1’629.9

1’646.8

1’316.3

–

1’348.6  

1’568.8  

1’976.0  

1’644.1  

1’043.9  

1’164.6  

1’491.3  

1’199.2  

67.2  

64.5  

90.2  

82.3  

2’242.9  

2’162.3  

1’973.8  

1’871.5  

1’610.4

311.4  

22.4  

234.6  

0.87  

345.5  

24.3  

66.8  

0.15  

231.8  

29.5  

414.5  

1.26  

131.0  

27.4  

346.9  

0.84  

18.0

–

239.0

0.73

22.2%  

25.4%  

26.1%  

30.9%  

33.3%

Non-current liabilities

– thereof non-current borrowings

– thereof non-current lease liabilities

Current liabilities

– thereof current borrowings

– thereof current lease liabilities

Net debt

Net debt/EBITDA ratio

Equity ratio 2)

1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to discontinued operations (details are described in note 5). The balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, has been adjusted 

following the finalization of the purchase price accounting and measurement period adjustments related to acquisitions in 2020. Defined benefit assets are presented as non-current 
assets and comparative information is re-presented.

2) Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd in relation to total assets.

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Five-year summaries by division

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Total

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Divisions

Others

Total

millions of CHF

Flow Equipment

Services

Chemtech

Divisions

Others

Total

Order intake from continuing operations

Sales from continuing operations

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

1’419.2  

1’324.7  

1’297.6  

1’458.9  

1’372.1  

1’323.0  

1’389.0  

1’296.3  

1’477.0  

1’284.2

1’171.3  

1’163.4  

1’130.8  

1’193.2  

1’109.7  

1’117.0  

1’117.7  

1’078.3  

1’167.0  

1’063.7

834.9  

679.5  

620.8  

670.0  

600.1  

739.9  

648.5  

593.1  

664.0  

563.2

3’425.4  

3’167.6  

3’049.2  

3’322.1  

3’081.9  

3’179.9  

3’155.3  

2’967.8  

3’307.9  

2’911.0

Order backlog from continuing operations

Employees from continuing operations 2)

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

850.1  

811.5  

845.0  

924.3  

982.9  

5’263  

5’325  

5’362  

5’759  

5’713

492.9  

479.5  

435.0  

422.2  

393.1  

4’559  

4’571  

4’449  

4’900  

4’721

501.7  

433.2  

396.9  

385.3  

345.9  

2’852  

3’734  

3’221  

3’803  

3’063

1’844.7  

1’724.1  

1’676.8  

1’731.8  

1’721.9  

12’674  

13’631  

13’032  

14’463  

13’497

1’844.7  

1’724.1  

1’676.8  

1’731.8  

1’721.9  

12’868  

13’816  

13’197  

14’685  

13’708

194  

185  

165  

222  

211

Operational profit from continuing operations

Operational profitability from continuing operations

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

87.4  

81.4  

55.2  

59.7  

41.4  

6.6%  

5.9%  

4.3%  

4.0%  

3.2%

159.0  

158.7  

150.3  

164.5  

146.1  

14.2%  

14.2%  

13.9%  

14.1%  

13.7%

80.0  

64.8  

56.9  

63.8  

50.0  

10.8%  

10.0%  

9.6%  

9.6%  

8.9%

326.4  

304.9  

262.4  

288.0  

237.5  

10.3%  

9.7%  

8.8%  

8.7%  

8.2%

–8.8  

–11.6  

–7.4  

–4.9  

–10.7  

n/a  

n/a  

n/a  

n/a  

n/a

317.6  

293.3  

255.0  

283.0  

226.8  

10.0%  

9.3%  

8.6%  

8.6%  

7.8%

1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to discontinued operations (details are described in note 5).
2) Number of full-time equivalents as of December 31.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Consolidated financial statements – Five-year summaries

207

Five-year summaries by region

Order intake from continuing operations by region

millions of CHF

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

1’322.9  

1’281.2  

1’211.6  

1’375.8  

1’193.2  

1’051.8  

1’009.5  

1’134.6  

909.3  

834.6  

828.2  

811.7  

3’425.4  

3’167.6  

3’049.2  

3’322.1  

3’081.9

1’275.9

1’144.8

661.2

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to discontinued operations (details are described in note 5).

Sales from continuing operations by region

millions of CHF

2022  

2021  

2020 1)

2019 1)

2018 1)

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

1’207.9  

1’297.5  

1’198.1  

1’306.9  

1’203.5

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

1’142.8  

829.2  

978.1  

879.7  

1’027.1  

1’165.3  

742.6  

835.8  

964.4

743.1

3’179.9  

3’155.3  

2’967.8  

3’307.9  

2’911.0

1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to discontinued operations (details are described in note 5).

Employees from continuing operations by company location 1)

millions of CHF

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

1) Number of full-time equivalents as of December 31.

2022  

5’602  

3’422  

3’845  

2021  

5’795  

4’207  

3’815  

2020  

5’709  

3’960  

3’528  

2019  

6’246  

4’429  

4’010  

2018

5’943

4’211

3’555

12’868  

13’816  

13’197  

14’685  

13’708

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd – Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd

208

Notes  

3  

4  

6  

6  

5  
5  

5  

5  

2022  

388.0  
8.8  
324.2  
3.1  
724.1  

743.9  
12.3  
1’486.6  
5.4  
2’248.2  

2’972.3  

289.9  
0.2  
332.3  
11.9  
5.2  
639.5  

1’043.9  
33.2  
1’077.1  

1’716.6  

0.3  
155.5  
200.7  

891.5  
48.8  
1.8  
–42.9  
1’255.7  

2’972.3  

2021

603.1

22.5

215.8

6.2

847.6

854.1

8.7

1’531.9

7.9

2’402.6

3’250.2

325.1

46.7

299.5

12.2

5.2

688.7

1’163.8

33.2

1’197.0

1’885.7

0.3

155.5

200.7

891.5

46.2

121.3

–51.0

1’364.5

3’250.2

Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd

December 31

millions of CHF

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Marketable securities

Accounts receivable from subsidiaries

Prepaid expenses and other current accounts receivable

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Loans to subsidiaries

Financial assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in associates

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Current interest-bearing liabilities

Current liabilities with subsidiaries

Current liabilities with shareholders

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities

Current provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities

Non-current provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Registered share capital

Legal capital reserves

Reserves from capital contribution

Voluntary retained earnings

– Free reserves

– Retained earnings

– Net profit for the year

Treasury shares

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd – Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

209

Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

January 1 – December 31

Notes  

9  

11  

10  

8  

11  

9  

2022  

160.0  

44.0  

42.3  

246.3  

70.1  

45.7  

118.5  

9.3  

0.9  

244.5  

1.8  

2021

183.8

67.2

43.6

294.6

90.0

17.7

53.3

11.7

0.6

173.3

121.3

millions of CHF

Income

Investment income

Financial income

Other income

Total income

Expenses

Administrative expenses

Financial expenses

Investment and loan expenses

Other expenses

Direct taxes

Total expenses

Net profit for the year

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd – Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd

210

Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Share 
capital  

Legal 
reserves  

Reserves 
from 
capital 
contribution 

Free 

reserves  

Retained 
earnings  

Net 

Treasury 

income  

shares  

Total

Equity as of January 1, 2021

0.3  

205.5  

201.0  

1’185.5  

50.6  

131.0  

–38.3  

1’735.6

medmix spin-off according to demerger plan

–50.0  

–0.3  

–294.0    

Dividend

Allocation of net income

Net profit for the year

Change in treasury shares

–    

–135.4  

–4.4  

4.4  

121.3  

–344.3

–135.4

–

121.3

–12.7  

–12.7

Equity as of December 31, 2021

0.3  

155.5  

200.7  

891.5  

46.2  

121.3  

–51.0  

1’364.5

Dividend

Allocation of net income

Net profit for the year

Change in treasury shares

–118.7  

–118.7

2.6  

–2.6  

1.8  

–

1.8

8.1

8.1  

Equity as of December 31, 2022

0.3  

155.5  

200.7  

891.5  

48.8  

1.8  

–42.9  

1’255.7

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

211

Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

1

General information

Sulzer Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland (the company), is the parent company of the Sulzer group. Its 

financial statements are prepared in accordance with Swiss law and serve as complementary 

information to the consolidated financial statements.

These financial statements were prepared according to the provisions of the Swiss Law on 

Accounting and Financial Reporting (32nd title of the Swiss Code of Obligations). Where not 

prescribed by law, the significant accounting and valuation principles applied are described below.

2

Key accounting policies and principles

Treasury shares

Treasury shares are recognized at acquisition cost and deducted from shareholders’ equity at the time 

of acquisition. In case of a resale, the gain or loss is recognized through the income statement as 

financial income or financial expenses.

Investments in subsidiaries and third parties

The participations are valued at acquisition cost or if the value is lower, at value in use, using generally 

accepted valuation principles.

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities are recognized in the balance sheet at amortized cost. 

Discounts and issue costs for bonds are amortized on a straight-line basis over the bond’s maturity 

period.

Share-based payments

Sulzer Ltd operates a share-based payment program that covers the Board of Directors. Restricted 

share units (RSU) are granted annually. The plan features graded vesting over a three-year period. 

One RSU award is settled with one Sulzer share at the end of the vesting period. Awards 

automatically vest with the departure from the Board. The fair value of the Sulzer share at vesting date 

is recognized as compensation to the Board of Directors.

Foregoing a cash flow statement and additional disclosures in the notes

As Sulzer Ltd has prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with a recognized 

accounting standard (IFRS), it has decided to forego presenting additional information on audit fees 

and interest-bearing liabilities in the notes and a cash flow statement in accordance with the law.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

212

3

Cash and cash equivalents

In 2021, the group arranged the renewal of the CHF 500 million syndicated credit facility with a 

maturity date of December 31, 2026. The facility includes two one-year extension options and a 

further option to increase the credit facility by CHF 250 million (subject to lenders’ approval). In 2022, 

the group exercised the first of the two extension options, extending the term of the credit facility 

partially by one year to December 2027 (for CHF 85 million of the facility, the maturity date remains 

unchanged). The facility is available for general corporate purposes including financing of acquisitions. 

The facility is subject to financial covenants based on net financial indebtedness and EBITDA, which 

were adhered to throughout the reporting period. As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, the syndicated 

facility was not used.

4

Investments in subsidiaries

A list of the major subsidiaries held directly or indirectly by Sulzer Ltd is included in 

note 37

 to the 

consolidated financial statements.

5

Equity

Share capital

The share capital amounts to CHF 342’623.70, made up of 34’262’370 shares with dividend 

entitlement and a par value of CHF 0.01. All shares are fully paid in and registered.

Shareholders holding more than 3%

Dec 31, 2022  

Dec 31, 2021

Number of 

shares  

in %  

Number of 

shares  

Viktor Vekselberg (direct shareholder: Tiwel Holding AG)

16’728’414  

48.82  

16’728’414  

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

1’034’950  

3.02  

-  

FIL Limited

-  

-  

1’114’854  

in %

48.82

-

3.25

Treasury shares held by Sulzer Ltd

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Purchase

Share-based remuneration

Balance as of December 31

2022  

Total 
transaction 

amount  

51.0  

19.5  

–27.6  

42.9  

Number of 

shares  

534’733  

281’349  

–292’227  

523’855  

2021

Total 
transaction 
amount

38.3

21.8

–9.1

51.0

Number of 

shares  

426’467  

207’690  

–99’424  

534’733  

The total number of treasury shares held by Sulzer Ltd as of December 31, 2022, amounted to 

523'855 (December 31, 2021: 534’733 shares), which are mainly held for the purpose of issuing 

shares under the management share-based payment programs.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

213

6

Interest-bearing liabilities

325.0

125.0

290.0

250.0

300.0

200.0

–

1’490.0

1’165.0

325.0

2021

918.5

198.8

483.0

42.9

millions of CHF

0.375% 07/2016–07/2022

0.875% 07/2016–07/2026

1.300% 07/2018–07/2023

1.600% 10/2018–10/2024

0.800% 09/2020–09/2025

0.875% 11/2020–11/2027

3.350% 12/2022–12/2026

Total as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

2022  

2021

Book value  

Nominal  

Book value  

Nominal

–  

125.0  

289.9  

249.9  

299.6  

199.7  

169.7  

–  

125.0  

290.0  

250.0  

300.0  

200.0  

170.0  

325.1  

125.0  

289.7  

249.9  

299.5  

199.7  

–  

1’333.8  

1’335.0  

1’488.9  

1’043.9  

1’045.0  

1’163.8  

289.9  

290.0  

325.1  

All the outstanding bonds are traded on SIX Swiss Exchange.

7

Contingent liabilities

millions of CHF

Guarantees, sureties and comfort letters for subsidiaries

– to banks and insurance companies

– to customers

– to others

Guarantees for third parties

2022  

937.3  

258.2  

455.7  

9.0  

Total contingent liabilities as of December 31

1’660.2  

1’643.2

As of December 31, 2022, CHF 410.8 million (2021: CHF 402.5 million) in guarantees, sureties and 

comfort letters for subsidiaries to banks and insurance companies were utilized.

8

Administrative expenses

millions of CHF

Compensation of Board of Directors

Other administrative expenses

Total administrative expenses

2022  

1.8  

68.3  

70.1  

2021

3.4

86.6

90.0

Sulzer Ltd does not have any employees. The compensation of the Board of Directors includes share-

based payments and remuneration. Other administrative expenses contain management services and 

recharges from subsidiaries.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

214

9

Investment income and investment and loan expenses

In 2022, the investment income contained ordinary and extraordinary dividend payments from 

subsidiaries amounting to CHF 142.9 million (2021: CHF 162.9 million). The income from the sale of a 

subsidiary amounted to CHF 7.0 million, net.

In 2022, Sulzer Ltd released hidden reserves in the amount of CHF 10.0 million (2021: 

CHF 20.0 million). 

The investment and loan expenses contain allowances on investments amounting to CHF 44.6 

million (2021: CHF 51.3 million) and waivers on loans and receivables amounting to CHF 71.3 million 

(2021: CHF 0.0 million). The share of loss from associates amounts to CHF 2.5 million (2021: CHF 2.0 

million).

10 Other income

The income from trademark license amounts to CHF 42.3 million (2021: CHF 42.3 million).

11

Financial income and expenses

The financial income contains interests on loans with subsidiaries amounting to CHF 42.1 million 

(2021: CHF 34.1 million). The financial expenses contain mainly interest expenses on interest-bearing 

liabilities of CHF 15.8 million (2021: CHF 15.9 million). The foreign currency revaluation on 

intercompany loans resulted in a loss of CHF 11.4 million (2021: gain of CHF 9.1 million) and on 

marketable securities in a loss of CHF 18.5 million (2021: gain of CHF 21.9 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

215

12 Share participation of the Board of Directors, Executive 

Committee and related parties

Restricted share units for members of the Board

The compensation of the Board of Directors consists of a fixed cash component and a restricted 

share unit (RSU) component with a fixed grant value. The number of RSU is determined by dividing 

the fixed grant value by the volume-weighted share price of the last ten days prior to the grant date. 

One-third of the RSU each vest after the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, 

respectively. Upon vesting, one vested RSU is converted into one share in Sulzer Ltd. The vesting 

period for RSU granted to the members of the Board of Directors ends no later than on the date on 

which the member steps down from the Board.

Board of Directors

Suzanne Thoma

Matthias Bichsel

Alexey Moskov

David Metzger

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Markus Kammüller

Executive Committee

Suzanne Thoma

Thomas Zickler

Armand Sohet

Tim Schulten

Torsten Wintergerste

  Sulzer shares  

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU) 1)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2020 2)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2021 3)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2022 4)

2022

23’434  

21’095  

744  

12’600  

2’217  

600  

7’273  

–  

32’723  

744  

1’513  

6’791  

–  

23’675  

4’701  

4’406  

3’786  

2’808  

3’786  

1’608  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

16’827  

12’412  

20’640

–  

1’273  

7’777  

–  

7’777  

–  

1’212  

4’994  

1’212  

4’994  

2’120

5’074

4’186

5’074

4’186

1) Restricted share units assigned by Sulzer.
2) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2020 at grant date amounted to CHF 78.18.
3) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2021 at grant date amounted to CHF 124.95.
4) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2022 at grant date amounted to CHF 84.69.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

216

2021

  Sulzer shares  

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU) 1)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2019 2)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2020 3)  

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2021 4)

Board of Directors

55’307  

34’874  

Peter Löscher

Suzanne Thoma

Matthias Bichsel

Mikhail Lifshitz

David Metzger

Alexey Moskov

Gerhard Roiss

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Frederic Lalanne

Jill Lee

Armand Sohet

Torsten Wintergerste

22’238  

–  

9’976  

6’182  

–  

639  

14’413  

1’859  

77’941  

43’000  

9’720  

6’797  

5’084  

2’728  

10’612  

8’818  

2’232  

5’038  

4’410  

1’800  

3’756  

4’410  

4’410  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

81’932  

94’735  

35’746  

50’900  

9’932  

9’932  

9’932  

8’195  

8’195  

9’427  

9’427  

9’427  

7’777  

7’777  

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

49’936

21’789

6’053

6’053

6’053

4’994

4’994

1) Restricted share units assigned by Sulzer.
2) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2019 at grant date amounted to CHF 115.95.
3) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2020 at grant date amounted to CHF 78.18.
4) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2021 at grant date amounted to CHF 124.95.

Granted Sulzer shares to members of the Board of Directors

2022  

2021

Quantity  

Value in CHF  

Quantity  

Value in CHF

Allocated to members of the Board of Directors

11’637  

905’000  

16’632  

1’155’000

13 Subsequent events after the balance sheet date

At the time when these financial statements were authorized for issue, the Board of Directors was not 

aware of any events that would materially affect these financial statements.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

217

Proposal of the Board of Directors for the 
appropriation of the available profit

in CHF

Net profit for the year

Unallocated profit carried forward from previous year

Total available profit

Appropriation from free reserves

Ordinary dividend

Balance carried forward

Dividend distribution per share CHF 0.01

Gross dividend

Withholding tax (35%)

Net dividend

2022  

1’802’000  

48’819’259  

50’621’259  

2021

121’291’000

46’229’034

167’520’034

100’000’000  

–

–118’084’803  

–118’700’775

32’536’456  

48’819’259

3.50  

–1.23  

2.27  

3.50

–1.23

2.27

The Board of Directors proposes the payment of a dividend of CHF 3.50 per share to the Annual 

General Meeting on April 19, 2023. The company will not pay a dividend on treasury shares held by 

Sulzer Ltd or one of its subsidiaries.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Financial reporting – Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd – Auditor’s report

218

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd (the Company), which comprise the “

Balance 

sheet of Sulzer Ltd

” as at December 31, 2022, the “

Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

”, the “

Statement 

of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd

” for the year then ended, and the “

Notes to the financial statements 

of Sulzer Ltd

”, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, comply with Swiss law 

and the Company’s articles of incorporation.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Standards on Auditing (SA-CH). Our 

responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the “Auditor’s 

Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements” section of our report. We are independent 

of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law, together with the requirements of the 

Swiss audit profession and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 

requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 

for our opinion.

Report on Key Audit Matters based on the circular 1/2015 of the Federal Audit Oversight Authority

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in 

our audit of the financial statements of the current period. We have determined that there are no key 

audit matters to communicate in our report.

Board of Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance 

with the provisions of Swiss law and the Company’s articles of incorporation, and for such internal 

control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 

statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the 

Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 

concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends 

to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

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219

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole 

are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report 

that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 

that an audit conducted in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH will always detect a material 

misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 

if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 

decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH, we exercise professional judgment and 

maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to 

fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 

evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 

detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 

as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 

of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 

opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 

accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 

related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to 

continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to 

draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if 

such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 

evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions 

may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other 

matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any 

significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have 

complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and communicate with them all 

relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and 

where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine 

those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current 

period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report, 

unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 

circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the 

adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 

benefits of such communication.

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220

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In accordance with article 728a para. 1 item 3 CO and PS-CH 890, we confirm that an internal control 

system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of financial statements according to the 

instructions of the Board of Directors.

We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of available earnings complies with Swiss law and 

the Company’s articles of incorporation. We recommend that the financial statements submitted to 

you be approved.

KPMG AG

Rolf Hauenstein

Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 16, 2023

Simon Niklaus

Licensed Audit Expert

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, CH-8036 Zurich
© 2023 KPMG AG, a Swiss corporation, is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent 
member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Investor contact

221

Investor contact

Christoph Ladner

Head of Investor Relations

Sulzer Ltd

Neuwiesenstrasse 15 

8401 Winterthur 

Switzerland

Phone +41 52 262 30 22

Contact form Route

 | 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Imprint

222

Imprint

Published by:

Sulzer Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland

© 2023

Layout/graphics:

Office for spatial identity, Zurich, Switzerland

Sergeant, Zurich, Switzerland

Publishing system:

ns.wow by mms solutions AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Photographs:

Sulzer Management Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland

Geri Krischker, Zurich, Switzerland (management portraits)

Fabian Hugo, Bern, Switzerland (management portraits and Executive Committee photo)

Stock images: Getty/Shutterstock

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Sulzer Annual Report 2022 – Disclaimer

223

Disclaimer

This report may contain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, projections of 

financial developments and future performance of materials and products, containing risks and 

uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known and unknown risks and 

various other factors that could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the 

statements made herein.

Rounding

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to the totals 

provided. All ratios, percentages and variances are calculated using the underlying amount rather than 

the presented rounded amount.

Tables

Within tables, blank fields generally indicate that the field is not applicable or not meaningful, or that 

information is not available as of the relevant date or for the relevant period. Dashes (–) generally 

indicate that the respective figure is zero, while a zero (0.0) indicates that the relevant figure has been 

rounded to zero.

Languages

Parts of the Sulzer Annual Report 2022 have been translated into German. Please note that the 

English-language version of the Sulzer Annual Report is the binding version.

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